Mountain Fire: At least $6 million in agriculture destroyed or damaged

This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:

• Ventura County incident page (lead agency)
• Ventura County fire on X
• Latest evacuation map
• CalFire incident page
• Information hotline for residents: 805-465-6650

Firefighters continue to gain control over the Mountain Fire, increasing containment to 60% on Wednesday, aided by weaker winds.

Some evacuation orders and warnings have been downgraded or lifted, but several areas are still affected.

Since breaking out last Wednesday in Ventura County, the fire has destroyed and damaged more than 250 structures and forced thousands to flee.

Of the more than 20,600 acres that’ve been affected by the fire, over half are in agriculture.

Winds are expected to return Tuesday and Wednesday, but officials said the conditions won’t be nearly as extreme as when the fire started.

“This is a good thing because we get a wind test, and it's good to get a wind test when you have 2,000 firefighters in your neighborhood,” Ryan Walbrun, National Weather Service incident meteorologist for the fire, said at a news conference Monday evening.

A house is engulfed in the flames of the Mountain Fire Wednesday.

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Etienne Laurent

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AFP via Getty Images

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Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday to support ongoing response and recovery efforts after he proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County.

Last week’s dangerous conditions — gusty, dry and widespread — haven't been seen since 2020, according to the National Weather Service. Conditions are reminiscent of what we saw during the devastating Woolsey Fire in 2018 which ignited almost exactly 6 years ago on Nov. 8.

Damage from the Mountain Fire in Camarillo.

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Jacob Margolis

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LAist

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Mountain Fire basics

The Mountain Fire broke out last Wednesday morning at around 9 a.m. near Moorpark at Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. It was currently 60% contained as of Wednesday morning.

• Acreage: 20,630 acres as of Wednesday
• Containment: 60%
• Structures: 82 damaged and 192 destroyed, the majority of which are homes
• Deaths: None
• Injuries: 6, including 1 firefighter
• Personnel working on fire: 1,864 personnel from Ventura County Fire Department and numerous other agencies, including 208 engines and 13 helicopters

Damage details

“We rank No. 1 in the state for avocados, and sadly, avocados have been hardest hit in this fire so far,” Korinne Bell, Ventura County agricultural commissioner, said at a news conference Monday evening.

• More than 500 acres of avocados have been damaged or destroyed, which is about $4 million in revenue
• More than 130 acres of citrus, which is about $1.3 million in revenue
• 10 acres of raspberries, which is about $620,000 in revenue
• 2,500 acres of rangeland, which is valued at more than $10,000

All together, Bell said they’re looking at more than $6 million in damages.

However, she noted they’re only a quarter of the way through their survey, so they “expect that number to go up exponentially.”

Evacuation map and orders

Click for an interactive evacuation map

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Courtesy CalFire

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Several evacuation orders remain in effect for the city of Camarillo, unincorporated Camarillo, Somis, Santa Paula, and Fillmore as of Monday. Officials said these areas can't be considered safe due to various utility hazards.

Some of the hardest hit areas in Camarillo Heights also aren’t able to fully reopen at this time.

However, residents were able to access the area between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. 

Evacuation warnings

A handful of evacuation warnings are in effect, including around Santa Paula, Somis, and the Moorpark Country Club.

When an evacuation order is downgraded to a warning, as at least two areas were Tuesday, that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Firefighters could still be mopping up hot spots and controlling other hazards. 

There’s still a chance that an evacuation order could be reissued if the dangerous conditions come back.

Officials recommend doing a thorough inspection when you return home after a wildfire, and you can find a checklist here.

For those who will be cleaning up ash around their homes or other areas, you can find more information on how to do it safely in English here, and in Spanish here.

Evacuation shelters

• For large animals:
  
  • Ventura County Fairgrounds
    10 E. Harbor Boulevard
    Ventura, CA 93001
• For small animals:
  
  • Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport), 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo
• An evacuation center operated by the Red Cross at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo was closed down Sunday afternoon.
  

Recovery efforts

Dustin Gardner, Ventura County fire chief, said at a news conference Monday that they’re moving into the recovery stage, which he warned is going to be long and complicated.

“Be patient with your neighbors, be patient with the crews you see out in the communities,” he said. “And just remember, this is Ventura, and Ventura is strong, and the 805 is resilient. So stay with it.”

A community meeting will be held 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rancho Campana High School Performing Arts Center, 4235 Mar Vista Drive, Camarillo.

Anyone impacted by the Mountain Fire is invited to attend.

City and county leaders will share information about the Local Assistance Center opening in Camarillo to support residents and business owners. Officials will also give guidance for requesting property tax deferrals, environmental health info, and about the rebuilding planning process.

School closures

All Ventura County schools are expected to open as usual Wednesday.

The following Ventura County schools were closed Tuesday:

• Mesa Union School District
• Peak Prep Pleasant Valley Learning Center
• Pleasant Valley School District (will not have regular classes but will host child supervision at select sites)

At least 20 Ventura County schools and districts were closed last Friday, including all locations of the Hueneme Elementary School District, Oxnard School District, and Somis Union School District.

Firefighters on the scene as the Mountain Fire rages in Ventura County on November 6, 2024.

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Jacob Margolis

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LAist

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Water advisories

An “unsafe water alert,” meaning it's not safe to drink or boil, has been issued by Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Company and the County of Ventura, Water & Sanitation for District 19 - Somis.

Pleasant Valley customers can call 805-482-5061 for more information.

County of Ventura, Water & Sanitation customers can call 805-378-3000 for more information.

Both companies will have to make repairs and send lab samples to ensure the water meets state requirements, which could take several days to a week.

Note: California American Water lifted its unsafe water alert on Tuesday.

Crestview Mutual Water Company lifted its unsafe water alert on Monday. Crestview customers, which included all homes on Ramona, La Cresenta, La Patera, Avocado, La Marina, Crestview, Via Zamora, Sereno Place, Valley Vista, Marine View, Vista Del Mar, Fairway Drive, and Alviso Drive, can now use their water normally.

What we know so far

The Mountain Fire broke out in the Somis area around 9 a.m. Wednesday and almost immediately prompted mandatory evacuations in Ventura County.

It's grown to more than 20,600 acres and jumped Highway 118, with half a dozen injuries confirmed.

Standing on top of a hill near a temporary evacuation center at Padre Serra Parish, Cheryl Sabato said she had evacuated her home in the Somis area earlier Wednesday morning.

“It was pretty harrowing,” Sabato told LAist as she watched Camarillo burn down below.

“This is crazy. We get this every year, but not to the point where it went over the ridge,” she added, surprised that the fire had jumped Highway 118.

Helicopters dropped water on the flames Wednesday afternoon in an effort to save houses on hillsides in Camarillo. Residents watched on, hoping their homes would be spared.

The Mountain Fire rages in Ventura County on November 6, 2024.

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Jacob Margolis

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LAist

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VC Fire has at least six strike teams on scene, with more crews helping from L.A. City.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday afternoon that it had authorized the use of federal dollars to aid California in fighting the Mountain Fire. That money can go toward field camps, materials, equipment use and other firefighting expenses.

Resources to prep and cope with wildfire

• Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
• Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
• Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
• How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
• This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
• What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
• What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
• If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer

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