Southern California wildfire rages as it engulfs homes, forces mass evacuations
Authorities in Southern California on Friday attempted to gain control over a fast-moving wildfire that torched dozens of homes and businesses, shuttered schools and forced over 10,000 people to evacuate.
Fueled by strong wind gusts, the so-called Mountain Fire exploded in size after it was first reported Wednesday morning in Somis, an unincorporated community in Ventura County. Inspection teams reported the fire destroyed at least 132 structures, mostly homes, and damaged 88 others as it spread to more populous neighborhoods northwest of Malibu and Los Angeles.
As of Friday morning, the fire had engulfed 20,596 acres and was 7% contained, according to the the state's wildfire-fighting agency, Cal Fire. Dozens of schools and colleges canceled classes on Thursday and Friday as the fire knocked out power and triggered nearly two dozen road closures. Meanwhile, a pair of water companies issued warnings to residents advising them not to drink or boil water.
Much of the blaze burned in steep, rugged terrain, hampering firefighters' efforts to quell the flames. Crews also grappled with low pressure as the expansive emergency operation overwhelmed the local water system.
Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said at a news conference that 10 people were injured, including several from smoke inhalation; none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening. A firefighter was among the victims, according to Cal Fire.
Fryhoff said 400 homes were evacuated on Thursday and 250 residents decided to stay despite evacuation orders, which were active across 12 zones and affected the Camarillo, Ventura, Santa Paula and Fillmore areas. About 800 homes were empty when emergency responders arrived to warn people about the danger.
"The devastation is absolutely heartbreaking," Fryhoff said.
Water providers tell some residents not to drink or boil water
A pair of water companies that service Ventura County warned residents Friday not to drink or boil water, citing damage from the Mountain Fire.
"Due to the MOUNTAIN FIRE, some structures in the Crestview Mutual Water Company were destroyedby the fire, and some areas in the water system lost pressure," read one notice issued to residents who live on 13 different streets in the county. "These conditions may have caused harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), to enter the water system."
"Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, and making ice and food preparation until further notice," it added.
The Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Company issued a similar warning, advising residents on at least five different streets that the water is not safe to drink or boil. Additionally, 180 customers at the highest elevation in the area "are experiencing no water service until they can receive and hook up a standby generator," according to Ventura County.
While Santa Ana winds subsided, they could return next week
The Mountain Fire's explosive growth was fueled by a Santa Ana wind event that brought strong wind gusts to Ventura County and other parts of Southern California this week.
The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles recorded peak gusts of 26 mph in the valleys of southeastern Ventura County. A red flag warning across the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties expired Friday morning.
As the winds subsided, so did the fire's explosive growth, giving officials hope they could begin to rein in the flames. However, the strong gusts could soon reemerge.
Dr. Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, said a weak to moderate Santa Ana wind event is expected early to middle of next week, which could raise fire risk.
Mountain Fire triggers flurry of school closures
A number of Ventura County school districts and colleges closed as the Mountain Fire continued to rage and disrupt the lives of thousands of residents.
Among the closures on Thursday and Friday were Oxnard College, Moorpark College and Ventura College as well as dozens of county school districts. The individual schools under evacuation orders serve well over 70,000 students, according to a list compiled by the Ventura County Office of Education.
When the fire erupted early Wednesday morning, several schools were in session and had to evacuate.
Students, faculty and staff of Camarillo Heights Elementary School had to flee, according to a statement from the Pleasant Valley School District. Oxnard Union High School District closed down eight high schools and transported students from one school to another to be picked up.
Jesus Vaca, principal of Somis School, said the 219-student campus was in the "lucky part of town" and didn't have to evacuate. However, some students stayed on campus after the school day was over because their family homes are within the evacuation zone.
โ Isaiah Murtaugh, Ventura County Star
Mountain Fire overwhelms water system, hampers operations
In addition to the rugged terrain, weak water pressure became an obstacle for fire crews attempting to gain a foothold and halt the fire's spread.
Officials said the water system was being used to fill hundreds of engines and that every fire hydrant was being tapped. "There was so much firefighter demand for (fire) suppression that it overwhelmed the system," said Ian Prichard, deputy general manager for the Calleguas Municipal Water District, which provides water to roughly three quarters of Ventura County residents.
Firefighters adapted. They went to lower elevations, filled up water tankers and brought that supply to the engines in the hills, Prichard said. However, power outages also hampered their efforts, forcing the use of portable generators. The fire also burned a water pumping station.
Fire crews plan to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and lower winds at night by flying helicopters and dropping fire-retardant chemicals, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said at a news conference Thursday. He said he expects crews will spend "the next four or five days getting this under control."
โ Tony Biasotti and Tom Kiske Ventura County Star
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs emergency declaration in Ventura County
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a state of emergency in Ventura County and said he secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to "help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire."
Newsom said 3,500 homes structures and businesses were threatened by the wildfire. In response to the Mountain Fire and other blazes across the state, the governor positioned 48 pieces of firefighting equipment, nine helicopters and over 100 personnel throughout 19 counties since Sunday.
โThis is a dangerous fire thatโs spreading quickly and threatening lives. State resources have been mobilized to protect communities, and this federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration will give state and local firefighters the resources they need to save lives and property as they continue battling this aggressive fire," Newsom said in a statement.
As of early Friday, over 2,400 personnel have been assigned to Mountain Fire in a large containment effort involving 378 fire engines, 14 helicopters and 17 bulldozers, according to Cal Fire.
Red flag warnings active in Southern California
While red flag warnings in Ventura County had expired by Friday afternoon, the advisories urging people not to burn anything outdoors were in place throughout other parts of Southern California.
The National Weather Service office in San Diego issued a red flag warning for parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, citing danger posed by northeast winds and humidity levels of 5 to 10%. "Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly," the weather service warned. "Outdoor burning is not recommended."
Areas under red flag warnings are experiencing "critical fire weather," meaning there's a combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures that can fuel "extreme fire behavior."
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mountain Fire destroys homes, prompts evacuations in California