Ventura County brush fires homes in Camarillo, Moorpark – NBC 7 San Diego

A wildfire that spread with devastating speed in the Moorpark and Camarillo areas of Ventura County burned more than 14,000 acres Wednesday and forced evacuations as strong winds fanned the flames into nearby neighborhoods.

At least two people were injured and hospitalized for smoke inhalation as several homes burned in the mountain fire. The fire was reported around 9 a.m. on the 118 Freeway, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. High winds in the area contributed to difficult conditions, the fire department said.

The fire crossed the 118 freeway and entered the Camarillo Heights area.

“Several people were injured and were taken to local hospitals,” the report said Ventura County Fire Department said “Many structures are currently under threat.”

Homes were destroyed in the Camarillo and Moorpark neighborhoods. Video from NewsChopper4 shows several homes burned to the ground, but authorities do not have an estimate of the number of homes destroyed.

#HirskaVogon RENEWAL:
The fire has crossed Highway 118 and is now engulfing the Camarillo Heights area. Evacuation orders are in effect and we encourage residents to follow these orders for their own safety. Several people were injured and taken to local hospitals.… pic.twitter.com/rWpKIdDfpe

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 6, 2024

Ventura County residents tense as wildfire burns new homes. Amber Frias reports for NBC4 News at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

Strong winds have grounded planes due to “very hazardous” conditions caused by gusts. Wind can cause turbulence for pilots. Thick smoke also made it difficult to see from the air.

Water-dropping helicopters were still flying at the fire, some dropping water directly on homes.

“There are 140 firefighters working at the scene, using 58 units of firefighting equipment, and additional helicopters and planes are needed for assistance,” the agency said.

The strongest winds of the week are expected on Wednesday, with gusts up to 80 mph in the mountains and foothills of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Similar winds are expected again in the mountains on Thursday night.

Ventura County Fire Chief Jeff Shea said weather conditions in the region are the most prominent and how that will contribute to fires through Thursday.

As the residents of Camarillo Heights prepare for a wildfire, a family, including a retired firefighter, does everything they can to save their home. Karma Dickerson reports for NBC4 News at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

“This means critically low relative humidity,” he said. “The amount of moisture in the air is less than 10%, which is critical for us, for the behavior of the fires and the persistent Santa Ana winds.”

“Gusts of up to 100 mph are possible in wind-prone mountain areas,” county emergency officials said in a statement. “In addition to the windy conditions, low relative humidity is expected with poor recovery overnight. A red flag warning was issued from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 6 p.m. Thursday for all areas of Ventura County.”

At a press conference Wednesday, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner urged all residents who have been ordered to evacuate their homes as soon as possible.

“This is not one of those fires where you can wait and predict and maybe stay home,” he said. “Your houses are replaceable, but your life is not. Leave… Our firefighters and law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to protect lives, so we need your help to stay out of the way.”