Mild winds proved to be a major boon to firefighters battling the Mountain Fire in Ventura County Friday.
The Mountain Fire has been driven by Santa Ana winds, causing widespread catastrophic damage and leaving dozens without a home and hundreds more displaced.
The break from the whipping winds allowed crews to build up containment lines and fly through the night.
Containment was 7% as of Friday morning, officials said, but by 6 p.m., containment had doubled to 14%.
Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency due to the Mountain Fire and announced that FEMA approved a grant to support the firefight.
Firefighters fighting the Mountain Fire in Ventura County on Friday found that mild winds were a huge help.
Firefighters were able to combat the fire from the air late into the evening, helping to keep it mostly under control Thursday night through Friday. The fire has destroyed over 130 homes within its 20,600-square-meter perimeter.
Santa Ana winds are to blame for the Mountain Fire’s extensive, devastating damage, which has left hundreds more displaced and dozens without a place to live.
Crews were able to fly through the night and set up containment lines thanks to the respite from the swirling winds. Officials reported that containment was 7% as of Friday morning, but by 6 p.m. A. containment had doubled to 14%.
So far, there have been six reported injuries, including one firefighter and five civilians.
Cal Fire stated in a status report on Friday that containment efforts have been difficult due to the fire’s dry and receptive fuels and steep, rugged terrain. Because the winds over the fire decreased, the fire activity slowed. In places where the fire had not been connected to control lines, it kept retreating. “.”.
132 homes were destroyed in the fire, according to damage inspection crews’ announcement on Thursday. As inspection crews continue their work on Friday, that number is anticipated to rise.
A house from the mid-century that had been owned by the Wallace family for over 60 years was one of the losses.
Tara Wallace and her husband Brian Wallace, who reside in Camarillo Heights, told KTLA, “We watched for three hours yesterday as it burned.”. “It was a lovely house with a lovely view of a lovely city, and now it’s just ash.”. “”.
There are still over 10,000 residents under evacuation orders. Vcemergency.com has a comprehensive list of evacuation zones and orders. At Padre Serra Parish, located at 5205 Upland Road, an evacuation center has been established. in Camarillo.
Dozens of displaced animals, including 80 ducks that were transported to the Camarillo campus on Thursday, are currently being housed at Ventura County Animal Services. Residents who were evacuated were asked to get in touch with Animal Services in order to bring home the numerous stray animals that had appeared at its shelters.
Thursday, Gov. Due to the Mountain Fire, Gavin Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency and disclosed that FEMA had authorized a grant to aid in the firefight.
The cause of the fire is still being looked into. To obtain information about the Mountain Fire, call 805-465-6650.
