NOTE: Reports from within the burned region suggest hundreds of homes have burned.
Live updates: Mountain Fire surpasses 14,000 acres; dozens of homes lost
by: Tony Kurzweil
Posted: Nov 7, 2024 / 05:10 AM PST
Updated: Nov 7, 2024 / 10:02 AM PST
Firefighters hope to take advantage of a break in the winds Thursday morning as they continue to battle the Mountain Fire in Ventura County that has already scorched thousands of acres and destroyed dozens of homes.
The fire broke out around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday near Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road, north of State Route 118. Initially reported as a 50-acre fire fueled by brush and Santa Ana winds, it jumped the highway and exploded to over 14,000 acres by Wednesday night.
According to Cal Fire, the fire was mapped at 14,500 acres and had no containment as of 7 a.m. Thursday.
Sky5 aerial view of home ablaze from the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA)A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California. Nov. 7, 2024. (KTLA)A firefighter pulls a hose in front of a burnt house as the Mountain Fire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.(Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a house as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (Getty Images)The Mountain Fire is seen from Sky5 during the early morning hours on Nov. 7, 2024. (KTLA)A house is engulfed in the flames of the Mountain Fire as the wildfire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)Sky5 aerial view of homes destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA)Sky5 aerial view of a brush fire in Somis, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA)Sky5 aerial view of home ablaze from the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA)Sky5 aerial view of home ablaze from the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA)
- A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California. Nov. 7, 2024. (KTLA)
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A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California. Nov. 7, 2024. (KTLA)
Video showed countless homes burning as the fire raged throughout the day and night. The exact number of homes destroyed is still unknown as officials say it is still too dangerous to survey the area.
Fire officials said thousands of homes in Moorpark, Camarillo, Camarillo Heights and Santa Paula remained threatened Thursday morning. Mandatory evacuations have forced more than 10,000 people from their homes.
