A wildfire in Southern California has ravaged 132 structures, primarily homes, within just two days, fire authorities reported on Thursday, though the intense winds were expected to lessen.
The blaze began on Wednesday morning in Ventura County and has spread to approximately 32 square miles (83 square kilometres), with containment at just 5%. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear.
According to Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff, ten people have sustained injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation or other non-life-threatening conditions.
In addition to the homes destroyed, 88 other structures were reported damaged, though it is unclear whether this was due to direct fire, smoke, or water damage.
Evacuation orders remain in place for around 10,000 residents as the Mountain Fire continues to pose a threat to some 3,500 properties in suburban, ranch, and agricultural areas near Camarillo in Ventura County.
Firefighters, supported by water-dropping helicopters, have been working in difficult, steep terrain to protect homes on hillsides to the northeast of Santa Paula, a city with a population of over 30,000.
In response to the fire and the spreading Santa Ana winds, officials across Southern California are advising residents to stay alert for rapid fires, power outages, and fallen trees.
Santa Ana winds are dry, warm gusts that blow from inland areas towards the coast, opposite to the usual onshore winds. These winds are most prevalent in autumn through to early spring.
According to the National Weather Service’s lead meteorologist in Oxnard, Ariel Cohen, the winds were weakening in lower areas but were still strong at higher elevations as of Thursday evening.
Although red flag warnings for high fire risk have been lifted in most regions, they remain in effect for the Santa Susana Mountains until 11 a.m. Friday. Santa Ana winds are forecast to return by mid-next week.
The Mountain Fire is burning in an area that has been the site of some of California’s most destructive fires. On Wednesday alone, the fire expanded rapidly, from less than half a square mile (1.2 square kilometres) to over 16 square miles (41 square kilometres) in just five hours. By Thursday evening, it had reached approximately 32 square miles (83 square kilometres), prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in Ventura County.
