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Young couple’s home destroyed by fire a year after moving in

Sakege November 8, 2024

ByABC7.com Staff KABC logo

Last update: Thursday, November 7, 2024 15:13 GMT

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CAMARILLO, Calif. (KABC) — Thousands of residents were forced to flee a fast-moving wildfire, called the Mountain Fire, that consumed dozens of homes in several Ventura County communities.

The out-of-control wildfire broke out near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The fire department initially described the incident as a two-alarm fire that burned 250 acres, but it quickly exploded and has since burned more than 14,000 acres.

At one point, the fire jumped Highway 118 and began burning southwest toward the “Highway 101 Corridor.” During the night, the flames spread and advanced towards the Santa Paula area.

Key headlines

This is how the news develops.

Mountain Fire in Moorpark evacuations, road closures, evacuation shelters

Evacuation orders:

Zone 1 – North Somis: Areas north of East Los Angeles Avenue/Hwy 118, west of Balcom Canyon Road, and east of La Vista Avenue
Zone 2 – Saticoy Country Club: east of Los Angeles Ave/Hwy 118, south of the Santa Clara River and north of Beardsley Road
Zone 3: Areas south of Hwy 118, west of N. Lewis Road, north of North Loop Drive and Mission Drive, and east of Fairway Drive
Zone 4 – 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
Zone 6: The area extending south of the Santa Clara River, east of Los Angeles Avenue, north of Saticoy County Club, and west of Briggs Road.
Zone 7: The area north of Highway 101, south and east of Beardsley Avenue, and south of Central Avenue.
Zone 9: The area east of the Santa Paula Community Golf Course, north along the Santa Clara River, west of South Mountain Road at Sespe Street, south to Bixby Road

Zone 10: An area extending east of 12th Street to Willard Road, south of HWY 126 along the Santa Clara River.

Unincorporated Somis: west to Saticoy Country Club, east to Balcom Canyon Road, south to Highway 118.

Evacuation warnings:

Zone 8: An area extending south of South Mountain Road, east of Briggs Road, and west of 12th Street and Bixby Road.

Road closures:

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

Temporary evacuation shelter:
Father Serra Parish
5205 Highland Highway
Camarillo, CA 93012

Large animal evacuation center:
Ventura County Fairgrounds (coastal gate)
10 E. Harbor Blvd.
Ventura, CA 93001

Small animal evacuation center:
Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport)
600 aviation unit
Camarillo, 93010

Fire Information Hotline:
805-465-6650

Young couple’s home destroyed by fire a year after moving in

Neighbors in the Las Posas Estates area say a young couple had just moved into the home about a year ago. Now, the only thing left standing is his mailbox and some remains of the chimney.

Dozens of homes were decimated by the massive mountain fire in Ventura County.

Eyewitness News reporter Sophie Flay was reporting along Garrido Drive in the Las Posas Estates neighborhood, where several homes were burned, including one that had burned to the ground.

Neighbors say a young couple had just moved into the house about a year ago. Now, the only thing left standing is his mailbox and some remains of the chimney.

When will wind conditions improve?

Wind speeds in the Camarillo area will take a break between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday, but winds will still be between 20 and 35 mph during that period, according to ABC7 Chief Meteorologist Dallas Raines. Winds are expected to be less strong in the late afternoon, but a red flag warning will still be in effect.

Here’s a look at Thursday’s forecast.

Map: This is where the mountain fire burns

The Mountain Fire began shortly before 9 a.m. in the area of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road in Somis.

Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, it grew in a matter of hours to more than 10,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes in Camarillo.

Here’s a look at where the Mountain Fire is burning now.

Briefing at 16:00: 0% containment, unsafe conditions to assess damage

During the 4 p.m. press conference, firefighters gave these updates:

– The fire is 0% contained.
– There is currently no exact number of structures damaged or destroyed because it is not safe to access the area. They hope to start counting on Thursday.
– Two people were taken to an area hospital for smoke inhalation. His condition was unknown.
– The fire moved dangerously fast, appearing more than 2.5 miles ahead of itself.
– The fire is currently under investigation.
– The fire is burning southwest to the Highway 101 corridor.

Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson said when firefighters arrived, they had to immediately get people out of their homes to save lives.

Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate, and authorities went door-to-door knocking and driving through the streets with sirens blaring. He said there are always people reluctant to leave, adding that they will not be forced to leave.