Fire in Ventura County: Several people injured, at least one house destroyed

VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. – A fast-spreading fire near Moorpark has triggered mandatory evacuation orders and road closures as forecasters warned of the possibility of “extreme and life-threatening fires”.

The fire, which was scorching 1,500 acres at last check, was reported around 9:40 a.m. on South Mountain, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley Road. It crossed Highway 118 and spread into the Camarillo Heights neighborhood, prompting additional evacuations.

At least one building was destroyed and several people were injured and taken to local hospitals, the Ventura County Fire Department reported.

Mandatory evacuation orders

• Unincorporated Somis: West to Saticoy Country Club; east to Balcom Canyon Road; South to Highway 118
• North Lewis Rd to Los Posas Country Club north of Loop Drive (Camarillo Heights Area)

Evacuation shelters

• Padre Serra Parish: 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo
• Big animals: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura
• Small Animals: Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport), 600 Aviation Drive, in Camarillo

Road closures

• Lewis Road north at Las Posas
• Eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road
• Westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Rejada Road

Hotline for fire information

Anyone with questions can call 805-465-6650.

Dangerous fire weather conditions

“Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft cannot assist in fighting the fire,” authorities said. “Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid personnel are actively working to protect life and property.”

Residents in Southern California face extreme fire danger Wednesday due to dry conditions coupled with strong Santa Ana winds.

“There is increasing confidence that a stronger, more widespread and prolonged wind event will occur in Santa Ana, bringing widespread critical fire weather conditions to many wind-prone areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Wednesday through Thursday,” it said the National Weather Service, which called the forecast a “particularly dangerous situation with warning signals in many areas.”

Scattered wind gusts between 80 and 100 mph are possible in the San Gabriel Mountains and foothills, with similar winds expected again in the mountains Thursday evening.

Damaging gusts of 50 to 70 mph could occur in wind-prone areas of L.A. and Ventura counties, likely in areas such as the Malibu and Ventura coasts, the L.A. Basin, Lake Casitas and Ojai, the NWS added. Gusty, red flag winds are also expected in the Channel Islands and Catalina Island.

Additionally, Southern California Edison said it preemptively shut off power to more than 46,000 customers, including more than 12,000 in Los Angeles County. Due to the risk, power cuts for more than 200,000 customers are being considered, the company said on its website.