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Ventura County residents devastated after massive wildfire leaves homes destroyed

By and
Updated  November 7, 2024 10:12am PST
Wildfires
FOX 11

Homes destroyed by explosive Mountain Fire

SkyFOX flew over homes that were destroyed by the Mountain Fire burning in Ventura County.

The Brief

    • The Mountain Fire burning in Ventura County erupted on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6.
    • The fast-moving fire quickly grew to over 20,000 acres by Thursday.
    • Several homes have been destroyed in the blaze, including several in a Camarillo neighborhood.

CAMARILLO, Calif. - The devastation continues for Ventura County families as a massive wildfire continues to rip through Camarillo, Moorpark and Somis. 

Camarillo residents devastated after losing homes

Some Ventura County residents are devastated after losing their homes in the massive Mountain Fire.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THE MOUNTAIN FIRE.

The fire erupted around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, as howling Santa Ana winds hit Southern California, with forecasters warning of the potential for "extreme and life-threatening blazes." 

RELATED COVERAGE: Santa Ana winds trigger rare 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' Fire Weather Warning for SoCal

As the sun rose Thursday, aerial images from SkyFOX showed some of the homes that were destroyed by the blaze in a Camarillo neighborhood. The area off Old Coach Drive showed some homes demolished while other homes appeared to be OK.

SUGGESTED: Mountain Fire burns Ventura County woman's home into ashes

By Saturday, the fast-moving fire had scorched 20,630 acres and was 17% contained.

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Firefighters continue to monitor hot spots in the neighborhood while the active fire continues to burn eight miles away on a hillside near Santa Paula. 

Several evacuation orders and road closures remain in place amid the firefight. 

Family loses everything in Mountain Fire

A couple who lost everything in the 20,000-acre fire in the Camarillo area told FOX 11 that they texted their kids a cell phone picture of the wife holding a carry on bag, a backpack and a bank box saying that was all they were able to save from the fire.

MORE INFORMATION ON EVACUATIONS, INCLUDING A MAP TO CHECK IF YOUR HOME IS AFFECTED, TAP OR CLICK HERE

Fire officials sent 10 damage assessment support teams door-to-door in the communities impacted by the blaze.

During a press conference Thursday night, fire officials said 88 structures were damaged and 132 were destroyed. That number is expected to grow as inspections continue. The majority of those structures were homes. 

A total of 400 homes were evacuated. 

Mountain Fire: More than 100 properties destroyed

The Mountain Fire destroyed more than 100 properties and 88 others damaged in Ventura County, according to officials.

Officials said 10 injuries were reported, most of those were smoke inhalation related and are non-life threatening. 

Four patients and two caregivers were also rescued from a senior care center in Camarillo. 

Weather Forecast for Thursday, Nov. 7

The latest forecast for the greater Los Angeles area, including beaches, valleys and desert regions.

A Red Flag Alert was in effect for the area through 6 p.m. Thursday and forecasters anticipate calming winds by nightfall and through the weekend. Winds are then forecast to kick up again by next week.