Many residents in Ventura County impacted by the Mountain Fire, which has scorched 20,630 acres and is 31% contained, attended a community meeting at Fire Station 54, the first such gathering since the wildfire erupted.
The blaze, which has destroyed more than 130 homes, was first reported just before 9 a.m. Nov. 6 in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road near Bradley Road between the communities of Moorpark and Somis, north of the 118 Freeway.
Wind-driven flames quickly jumped the freeway and the blaze tore through the Camarillo Heights neighborhood, prompting thousands to evacuate.
Favorable winds over the last several days have allowed fire crews to dampen hotspots and given officials the opportunity to lift evacuation orders in one zone of the fire.
Ten other zones, however, remain under mandatory evacuation orders, leaving many displaced and hundreds of others who have no home to go back to at all.
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A view of the Mountain Fire posted to social media by the Ventura Co. Air Unit on Nov. 7, 2024. -
A view of the Mountain Fire posted to social media by the Ventura Co. Air Unit on Nov. 7, 2024. -
Residents in Ventura County get an update on the Mountain Fire at a community meeting on Nov. 7, 2024. (KTLA)
“We went up there yesterday to see the damage,” resident Ramonda Kent said of her property. “Everything is gone.”
While fire officials on Sunday night updated residents about their efforts in the last several days, they also acknowledged that not everyone is happy with how the fire and evacuations were handled.
Still, officials emphasized that thousands of homes were saved, and hundreds of people were rescued.
“We’re still in the evac order,” resident Ted Oehinger told KTLA about why he was at the meeting. “We just wanted to come and get some info about timeline, utilities back on, water is good to go.”
As officials laid out the map for potentially windy days ahead, they said that readiness was top of mind.
“If the winds do come back, we’re not going to see any reignition fire,” Ventura County Fire PIO Andrew Dowd said.
As repopulation efforts get underway, officials are urging residents to keep a safe watch for debris, downed power lines and other potential hazards.
Another community is scheduled this week that will focus on recovery efforts and what happens next for those affected.
More detailed information on evacuations can be found at www.vcemergency.com
