Mountain fire containment slowly rises as crews continue battling destructive blaze in Camarillo
Nov 09, 2024
Favorable weather conditions continued aiding firefighters in Ventura County through Saturday with their battle against the Mountain fire, with containment reaching 21% — up from 14% Friday.
Fire personnel cited temperatures in the low 70s, slower winds and humidity levels at around 13% on Saturday with helping fire crews reach a “smoldering phase” of the fire.
“It’s favorable with the full sunshine and the dry air mass to allow any of the lingering fuels to consume with the dry conditions,” meteorologist Ryan Walbrun with the National Weather Service said.
Fire authorities through Saturday were able to validate that 104 structures were destroyed and 25 structures were damaged in the blaze that broke out Wednesday.
Favorable weather conditions are expected through the weekend.
The fire in Ventura County held at 32 square miles or 20,600 acres, Fire Operations Section Chief Clint Swensen said.
The fire had exploded in size amid the arrival of dry, warm and gusty northeast winds, forcing thousands of residents to flee and threatening 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around the community of Camarillo.
MAP: This is where the Mountain fire is burning in Ventura County
Many homes along Old Coach Dr. in Camarillo were destroyed in the fast moving Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A firefighter surveys the damage after the Mountain Fire swept through several Camarillo neighborhoods. The Mountain Fire was estimated to be 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Kim Elsner of Autumn Breeze Training spends time with one of her horses staying at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire. The site is being used as a temporary location for displaced or evacuated large livestock. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A horse awaits pickup after being evacuated from the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Fairgrounds are being used as a temporary location for displaced or evacuated large livestock. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Many homes in Camarillo were destroyed in the fast moving Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Evacuated horses, donkeys, goats, sheep and alpacas seek shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Alpacas await the “all clear” while staying in a pen at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Kim Elsner of Autumn Breeze Training walks one of her horses staying at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire. The site is being used as a temporary location for displaced or evacuated large livestock. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Evacuated horses, donkeys, goats, sheep and alpacas seek shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Ruben Gonzalez enjoys a visit with his horse “Rojo” at the Ventura County Fairgrounds Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. The site is being used as a temporary location for evacuated livestock from the Mountain Fire. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Susan McCarthy spends time with her horses at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after they were evacuated from Somis during the Mountain Fire. The site is being used as a temporary location for displaced or evacuated large livestock. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A herd of alpacas stay at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire. The site is being used as a temporary location for displaced or evacuated large livestock. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Firefighters survey the damage after the Mountain Fire swept through several Camarillo neighborhoods. The Mountain Fire was estimated to be 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Krista Chen and Vanessa Munday take “Moose” for a walk while he stays at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Preston Arndt spends time with his miniature donkeys “Perkins” and Jackson” while they stay at the Ventura County Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Mountain Fire. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Several homes along Goldenspur Dr were destroyed by the Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A sign greets firefighters in Camarillo, CA Saturday morning. The Mountain Fire swept through the area earlier in the week. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Many homes along Old Coach Dr. in Camarillo were destroyed in the fast moving Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Many homes along Old Coach Dr. in Camarillo were destroyed in the fast moving Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A firefighter looks for hotspots Saturday, days after the Mountain Fire swept through Camarillo area. The Mountain Fire, which started Wednesday morning, destroyed many homes and was estimated to be 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Many homes along Old Coach Dr. in Camarillo were destroyed in the fast moving Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Firefighter Joe Harris uses a net to remove debris from a fish pond at a residence along Old Coach Dr. in Camarillo, CA Nov. 9, 2024. The Mountain Fire, which started Wednesday morning, destroyed many homes in the area and was estimated to be 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Collectibles are recovered from a fire damaged home after the Mountain Fire swept through several Camarillo neighborhoods. The Mountain Fire was estimated to be 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A firefighter looks for hotspots Saturday, days after the Mountain Fire swept through Camarillo area. The Mountain Fire, which started Wednesday morning, destroyed many homes and was estimated to be 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A burnt page of Fawn Parish’s children’s book, “There Is no Spot Where God is Not!” sits in the rubble of the Parish home, which was lost in the Mountain fire in Camarillo on Wednesday, Nov. 6. (Photo by Sierra van der Brug, SCNG)
A U.S. Forest Service Fire Task Force looks for Mountain fire hotspots between a citrus orchard and the Camarillo hills development on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in the Somis area. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A U.S. Forest Service Fire Task Force looks for Mountain fire hotspots between a citrus orchard and the Camarillo hills development on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in the Somis area as they pass a goat herd. The herd was making its way up to clear vegetation on land between the orchard and the Camarillo hills development before the Mountain fire. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A U.S. Forest Service Fire Task Force looks for Mountain fire hotspots between a citrus orchard and the Camarillo hills development on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in the Somis area. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A U.S. Forest Service Fire Task Force is briefed in Somis before checking for Mountain fire hotspots on land between a citrus orchard and the Camarillo hills development on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in Somis area. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A U.S. Forest Service Fire Task Force heads to land between a citrus orchard and the Camarillo hills development to check for Mountain fire hotspots on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in the Somis area. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A U.S. Forest Service Fire Task Force is briefed in Somis before checking for Mountain fire hotspots on land between a citrus orchard and the Camarillo hills development on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 in Somis area. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A So Cal Edison employee looks at a downed power pole at one of the destroyed homes along Highland Dr. in Camarillo Heights during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
One of the destroyed homes along Highland Dr. in Camarillo Heights during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
One of the destroyed homes along Highland Dr. in Camarillo Heights during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LAFD firefighters from Woodland Hills work on a hot spot at home destroyed along Highland Dr. in Camarillo Heights during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Joey and Fawn Parish view the remains of their destroyed home on Highland Drive in Camarillo Heights after the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Some items found at the home of Fawn and Joey Parish on Highland Dr. in Camarillo Heights after the Mountain fire destroyed it on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters put out spot fires from the Mountain fire along a road off of Bradley Rd. leading to Ferrante Ranch in Somis on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A burn area on Balcom Canyon following the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A helicopter makes a water drop along Balcom Canyon in Somis during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Looking south from the 126 freeway near Santa Paula following the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Blackened hills from the Mountain fire looking north along Balcom Canyon Rd. in Somis on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Smoke rises above an avocado farm along Balcom Canyon in Somis during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
One of the destroyed homes along Highland Dr. in Camarillo Heights during the Mountain fire on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Firefighters put out spot fires from the Mountain fire along a road off of Bradley Rd. leading to Ferrante Ranch in Somis on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
An agriculture farm, on Balcom Canyon Road, is seen on Friday, Nov. 8, after the Mountain fire rolled through the area. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Homes lost in the Mountain Fire are seen on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 in the Camarillo hills. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Greg Roda looks for his mother’s ashes after his home was lost in the Mountain Fire on Esteban Drive on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 in the Camarillo hills. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Show Caption1 of 48Many homes along Old Coach Dr. in Camarillo were destroyed in the fast moving Mountain Fire Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024. The fire was estimated at 20,630 acres as of Saturday morning. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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Red flag warnings indicating conditions for high fire danger expired in most of the region Thursday. Smoky air hung over the area Saturday because of fairly light winds ranging between 5 and 10 mph, the very conditions that were aiding firefighters, said Ryan Kittell, a NWS meteorologist.
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“It’s very favorable for the weekend,” Kittell said. “Good for firefighting efforts but not great for air quality.”
Some forecasts showed winds returning to the area Tuesday, but not to the extent seen last week, Kittell said.
With crews gaining more containment of the fire, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said several evacuated areas were downgraded from “Evacuation Order” to “Evacuation Warning.”
The region northwest of Los Angeles has seen some of California’s most destructive fires over the years. The Mountain fire swiftly grew from less than half a square mile to more than 16 square miles in little more than five hours on Wednesday, with gusts topping 61 mph.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County.