A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has destroyed 132 structures, mostly homes, and continues to burn through Ventura County as thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders. The Mountain Fire, which erupted Wednesday morning, has already scorched approximately 32 square miles and was only 5% contained as of Thursday evening, according to fire officials. The blaze has left a trail of devastation, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.
Firefighters have been battling intense flames and treacherous terrain, particularly on the northeastern edge near Santa Paula, a city of more than 30,000 residents. Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff confirmed that 10 people were injured, primarily due to smoke inhalation and other non-life-threatening conditions. The fire's rapid spread and destructive potential prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in the county.
Crews are focusing on protecting homes and properties at risk, deploying water-dropping helicopters and working tirelessly to contain the fire. Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson emphasized the challenge of combating a blaze in such rugged, steep terrain. "The fire there is in a tricky place," he said, noting the difficult conditions that have required aerial support to contain the flames.
Residents affected by the fire shared harrowing stories of loss and resilience. Kelly Barton, whose parents' Camarillo ranch was reduced to rubble, watched as firefighters sifted through the remains. Among the ashes, two safes and a collection of vintage door knockers were recovered. "This was their forever retirement home," Barton said, visibly emotional. Her father, who returned to the property shortly after evacuating, found their house already destroyed, though he managed to save four vintage cars before two others were lost.
The Mountain Fire has become another grim chapter in California's wildfire history. Ventura County officials confirmed that 88 other structures were damaged, though they did not specify the extent of the destruction. In total, more than 3,500 structures remain under threat. Sharon Boggie, a Santa Paula resident, described how the flames came within 200 feet of her house. "We thought we were going to lose it at 7:00 this morning," she said, standing amid the smoke-filled neighborhood with her two dogs.
The strong Santa Ana winds, known for their dry, warm gusts that blow from the inland toward the coast, exacerbated the fire's rapid spread. Meteorologist Ariel Cohen from the National Weather Service explained that while the winds were subsiding at lower elevations, they remained gusty in higher areas. Red flag warnings, indicating critical fire weather, were set to expire Friday morning, though a new round of Santa Ana winds is expected next week.
The fire has drawn comparisons to other major blazes in the region, such as the 2018 Woolsey Fire and the 2017 Thomas Fire, both of which caused extensive damage and prompted large-scale evacuations. Southern California Edison, the region's utility provider, has been proactive in shutting down power to nearly 70,000 customers to mitigate the risk of new fires sparked by electrical lines. However, the power status in the area where the Mountain Fire started remains unclear.
Local ranchers and property owners have faced particularly dire situations. Marcus Eriksen, a Santa Paula farmer, praised firefighters for saving his home and vehicles as flames encroached on his land. "Thanks to their work, we dodged a bullet, big time," Eriksen said. Meanwhile, Hilda Gurney, an 81-year-old dressage Olympian, described the harrowing experience of evacuating her horses from her ranch as smoke and flames closed in.
Fire Chief Dustin Gardner highlighted the relentless work of firefighters, some of whom have been on the front lines for 36 hours straight. "That's a feat of human strength," Gardner said, assuring residents that first responders would continue to assist the community during and after the crisis. "We will stay with our community until the very end and through this all," he pledged.
