California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County as a Mountain Fire continues to spread at an explosive pace, fanned by strong winds.
The fire, which began on Wednesday morning at approximately 8.50 a.m. near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road has grown more than 6,000 acres in one day. The cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation.
As thousands of firefighters tackled the blaze, Newsom said in his emergency declaration: "This is a dangerous fire that is spreading quickly and is threatening lives."
Having spread due to 55 mph Santa Ana winds, gusting up to 100 mph, and a dry bush, the blaze now covers 20,485 acres (at the time of writing) across Ventura County and is only five percent contained, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
No deaths have been reported, but six injuries to both firefighters and civilians have been confirmed, and 132 structures have been destroyed, 88 damaged.
Newsweek has emailed Cal Fire for more information.
Having burned through parts of Camarillo, the fire is now blazing toward Santa Paula and Somis, where an estimated 30,000 people live in its projected path. Evacuation orders across 10 zones are currently in place; schools and roads have been closed; and animal evacuation centers have been established.
Newsom added: "California has mobilized state resources, including personnel, engines and aircraft from Cal Fire and Cal OES, to protect communities as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat this fire.
"Stay safe and remain alert for instructions from local authorities as dangerous fire weather conditions continue."
In a separate video on X, Newsom praised the brave men and women working to tame the fire.
Cal Fire reports that there are currently 2,420 personnel, 14 helicopters, 378 engines and 34 crews working to contain the blaze.
Resident Maurice Kerr told the LA Times his 4,800 square foot ranch home was destroyed despite his efforts to fight the fire. And Brian Williams, who lives in Somis, close to where the fire broke out, told ABC Eyewitness News that his wife first alerted him to the blaze.
He said: "Around 9 a.m. she called me and there was smoke coming up over the back of our property pretty fast. I head home and halfway home she said she could see flames, we have a back pasture. It had already encroached onto the house. It was chaos. They had evacuated. The fire was approaching the house."
The Ventura County Emergency information site reports that 30-55 mph northeastern winds are expected to continue hitting the area November 8, with some gusts up to 100 mph possible in mountainous locations.
Residents are being advised to stay indoors and avoid taking strenuous exercise, due to poor air quality.
On Wednesday, Newsom got approval for the FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant. This means California will pay 25 percent of the cost of the wildfire response and the federal government 75 percent.
Newsweek has emailed Cal Fire for more information.
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