A fast-moving brush fire on South Mountain in Moorpark prompted evacuation warnings on Wednesday morning.
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The blaze was first reported around 8:50 a.m. near Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. By 11:26 a.m., it had grown to 1,500 acres, crossing over Highway 118 and impacting Camarillo Heights.
The smoke was so thick that a National Weather Service meteorologist told KNX News it was visible on the satellites.
“We drove away from the smoke, but we can look at it crossing over the 101 just past Carmen at Rice Road in Camarillo, so it’s not even fun on the freeway. It’s very thick over there,” John Schoustra, owner of Greenwood Daylily Gardens, told KNX News.
At 1:49 p.m., the fire was estimated at 9,000 acres, and by late afternoon, 10,400 with zero containment.
Several people have been injured and numerous structures are threatened, according to VCFD. Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft can’t assist in the firefighting efforts, but ground crews, helicopters, and mutual aid resources were working to fight the blaze.
Evacuation orders were issued for the following areas:
- Camarillo Heights area (North Lewis Rd. to Los Posas Country Club to North of Loop Dr.)
- Unincorporated Somis (West to Saticoy Country Club, East to Balcom Canyon Rd., South to Highway 118)
Evacuation warnings were issued for:
- Camarillo (North to Loop Dr., Las Posas Rd. to Ponderosa Dr., West to Beardsley Rd.)
- Ventura (from Petit Rd. east to city limits)
The following roads are closed:
- Northbound Lewis Rd. at Las Posas
- Eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Rd.
- Westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Rejada Rd.
“Right now we’re really focused on helping the people that are in the area to kind of get out,” California Highway Patrol officer Ryan Ayala told KNX News.
An evacuation center has been established at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo. Large animals can be taken to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, and an evacuation center for small animals is located at Ventura County Animal Services (Camarillo Airport).
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his office has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEAM to provide aid to Ventura County. "We’re continuing to provide state and local firefighters with the support needed to save lives and property from this aggressive blaze," said Newsom.
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