This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information on the fire you can consult:

Multiple wildfires broke out Wednesday driven by strong Santa Ana winds.

Such dangerous conditions – gusty, dry and widespread – have not been seen since 2020, according to the National Weather Service. And they remember what we saw during the devastating Woolsey Fire in 2018.

A house is engulfed in flames from Wednesday’s mountain fire.

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Etienne Laurent

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AFP via Getty Images

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Suppose any fire that breaks out near the coast could spread to the Pacific Ocean as long as there are strong winds. They should finish on Friday.

The Broad Fire, which started mid-morning in Malibu Bluffs Park, quickly grew to 50 acres, damaging two homes and destroying one. The advance stopped when it reached the Pacific. If the fire had started further inland, it could have been catastrophic for even more homeowners in the area.

Pacific Coast Highway has been closed in both directions near Malibu Canyon Road.

However, firefighters have expressed serious concerns about the danger posed by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County.

During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said the Mountain Fire burning in the Camarillo area was a classic Santa Ana wind event moving at a “ dangerous rate of spread.”

Gardner urged residents to leave when they receive an evacuation order for their area. “These are not one of those fires where you can wait and predict and maybe stay home,” he said. “Their homes can be replaced, their lives cannot. Leave.”

Officials said they anticipated red flag warning fire conditions to continue until at least Thursday night.

An aerial photograph shows smoke rising from the Moorpark hills on November 6, 2024.

Mountain Fire Basics

The Mountain Fire started Wednesday morning around 9:41 a.m. near Moorpark at Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. It is currently 0% contained.

• Acreage: 10,500 acres
• Containment: 0%
• Structures: Numerous structures have burned.
• Deceased: None
• Injuries: Some reported
• Personnel working on the fire: Not available
• Power outages: More than 20,000 Ventura County customers affected

Evacuation map and orders.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department has issued evacuation orders for the following areas:

• North of Somis: areas north of East Los Angeles Avenue/Hwy 118, west of Balcom Canyon Road, and east of La Vista Avenue
• Saticoy Country Club: east of Los Angeles Ave/Hwy 118, south of the Santa Clara River and north of Beardsley Road
• Areas south of Hwy 118, west of N. Lewis Road, north of North Loop Drive and Mission Drive, and east of Fairway Drive
• West Camarillo (Las Posas/Spanish Hills areas): north of Las Posas Road, south and east of Central Avenue and Beardsley Road, and west of Anacapa Drive
• The area extending south of the Santa Clara River, east of Los Angeles Avenue, north of Saticoy County Club, and west of Briggs Road.
• The area north of Highway 101, south and east of Beardsley Avenue, and south of Central Avenue

Evacuation warnings

Officials say those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should do so immediately. We will update with additional warnings as information becomes available.

Evacuation shelters

• Father Serra Parish5205 Upland Road, Camarillo
• For large animals: Ventura County Fairgrounds10 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
• For small animals: Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport), 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo

Road closures

• Lewis Road northbound in Las Posas
• Highway 118 eastbound at Wells Road
• Highway 118 westbound at Tierra Rejada Road

School closures

According to officials, all four Malibu schools will be closed Thursday due to dangerous fire conditions, road closures and possible power outages. That includes all programs at Webster Elementary, Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle and Malibu High. The Malibu Boys & Girls Club will also be closed.

What we know so far

The mountain fire broke out in the Somis area around 9 a.m. and almost immediately prompted mandatory evacuations in Ventura County. It has grown to more than 10,000 acres, jumped Highway 118 and, by noon, was heading toward the community of Camarillo Heights. Multiple injuries have been reported.

What’s particularly concerning about this fire is that it could reach the ocean, and there are many neighborhoods between where it started and the Pacific.

“There is that potential,” said Scott Dettorre, public information officer for the Ventura County Fire Department. “The good thing is that when you leave the area you’re in, you’ll hit the plains and the fuel bed will start to break up at that point, which could help with containment.”

Standing on top of a hill near a temporary evacuation center in Padre Serra Parish, Cheryl Sabato said she had evacuated her home in the Somis area on Wednesday morning.

“It was pretty heartbreaking,” Sabato LAist as he watched Camarillo burn below.

“This is crazy. We get this every year, but not to the point of going over the ridge,” she added, surprised that the fire had jumped Highway 118.

Helicopters dropped water on the flames Wednesday afternoon in an effort to save homes on the hillsides of Camarillo. Residents watched, hoping their homes would be saved.

VC Fire has six strike shifts on scene, and more crews are coming to help from the city of Los Angeles.

The latest evacuation map. can be found here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday afternoon that had authorized the use of federal dollars to help California fight the Mountain Fire. That money can go toward camping, supplies, equipment use and other firefighting expenses.

According to FEMA, as of Nov. 6, all homes threatened by the fire are primary residences.

Climatic conditions

Gusts of up to 80 mph have been observed.

Red flag conditions will remain a threat through Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

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