A fast-moving brush fire burned more than 14,000 acres Wednesday, prompting evacuations. red flag warning From the National Weather Service.
Ventura County remains under a “very critical” wildfire warning as firefighters battle to gain an advantage on the mountain blaze, which is currently 0% contained.
At least two people were taken to hospitals for smoke inhalation, Ventura County Fire Chief Justin Gardner said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
An exact damage count is expected Thursday because the area is too dangerous to fully assess the damage, according to Gardner.
At least 14,000 people were told to evacuate, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.
A firefighter walks through smoke and embers as high winds push a mountain fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, November 6, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
The mountain fire is one of two wind-driven wildfires burning in Southern California, and the NWS issued a rare red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties warning of “significant fire danger” from Malibu to the San Gabriel Mountains. North of Los Angeles, where winds could reach near 100 mph.
“A very strong, widespread and prolonged Santa Ana wind event will bring very severe fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Wednesday through Thursday,” according to the NWS warning.
As of Wednesday, at least two wind-driven fires have already broken out in Southern California.
Mountain Fire
According to local fire officials, the Ventura County Wildfire has spread to more than 14,000 hectares, prompting evacuation orders, threatening structures and leaving several people injured.
“We know we’ve lost homes, we know we’ve had homes damaged and we know about injuries, but I don’t have a count,” Public Information Officer Scott Dettorre told ABC News.
“The injuries that we know of are civilians, at this time we do not have any firefighters injured,” said Dettor.
Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts, according to the Ventura Fire Department, while ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are “actively working to protect lives and property.”
A firefighting helicopter descends over a wildfire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California on November 6, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
Evacuation orders are in effect from Walnut Ave to Balcom Canyon Road and the North Highway 118 ridgeline and west to the Saticoy County Club in Ventura County, the statement said. CAL Fire.
Wide Fire
A second wildfire broke out Wednesday in the Malibu area of Los Angeles County — the Broad Fire — and has burned at least 50 acres between South Malibu Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in southwest Malibu. CAL Fire.
Fire Danger – Latest alerts and wind gust map
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Local fire officials have warned residents to prepare for possible evacuations and have closed PCH in both directions between Webb Way and Corral Canyon.
Santa Ana wind conditions
Named for the Santa Ana Canyon in Southern California, the region’s Santa Ana winds bring warm, dry winds from the desert, drying out vegetation and increasing fire danger.
The long-lasting Santa Ana wind event will peak Wednesday, moderate Thursday, and then settle to light offshore winds Friday.
Northeasterly winds 20 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph are expected across the canyons and passes of Southern California through Wednesday, with higher winds in areas of wind gusts.
Another gust of wind is expected to peak late Wednesday into Thursday morning, with northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph gusting to 50 mph before weakening significantly by Thursday evening.
