Mountain fire destroys homes in Camarillo Heights – NBC Los Angeles

A Camarillo Heights resident grabbed his wedding ring and some family photos Wednesday as flames from the fast-moving Mountain Fire burned toward his neighborhood.

About 10 minutes after a family member was evacuated, the wildfire caused by high winds in Ventura County reached Valley Vista Drive and burned Steve Taylor's home and surrounding homes to the ground.

“I got the wedding ring. I took a few more pictures of my father. Jumped in the car and about 10 minutes later the whole thing just exploded,” Taylor said. “So we were lucky that everyone got out and everyone was safe. We have our memories here.”

A brick chimney with a “T” for the Taylor family was pretty much all that remained on the property. Similar scenes of destruction occurred on his neighbors' properties.

In nearby Camarillo, Roger Archambault watches a television report that shows his house burning down.

“It was surreal,” he said. “You watch your own house burn, and you can come back here to do whatever you can about it. It is what it is.”

The 14,500 hectare mountain fire is burning north into Santa Paula. Brittany Hopes reports for NBC4 News on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11 a.m.

The home was an 8-year-old conversion with a steel roof that collapsed onto what was left of the structure.

“I guess we have to start over,” Archambault said. “Sitting here and crying about it isn’t going to help.”

The fire that broke out in the Somis area on Wednesday morning affected two of dozens of houses. The fire spread to Moorpark and Camarillo on a day of high winds, jumping the 118 Freeway.

Ten damage assessment teams were deployed to determine how many homes were destroyed. Neighbors whose homes were left standing said they would keep abreast of weather conditions as there could be shifting winds.

Winds died down Thursday afternoon as firefighters worked to protect homes. The fire was estimated to be more than 19,000 acres and was uncontained.