Camarillo Faces Devastating Wildfire: The Mountain Fire
In Camarillo, California, residents are grappling with the impact of a significant wildfire that broke out earlier this week, known as the Mountain Fire. This incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when Terrie Morin, 60, and her husband Dave, were at a barber shop. They quickly learned about the intense fire spreading toward their home.
The couple had two guests at their house, who they believed were asleep and unaware of the approaching danger. “I run in the house, and I’m banging on the door, and they did not hear me. They were knocked out,” Morin recounted. “Get the dog. Get out of here. You don’t have time, just get out!” she finally shouted to her friends. Just ten minutes later, smoke and sparks began to fill their backyard.
As flames began to engulf the area, temperatures soared. “It was hot. It was so hot,” Morin said, highlighting the urgency of their situation. The fire, which ravaged more than 20,700 acres of land, primarily affected Southern California’s Ventura County, damaging properties in areas just 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Cal Fire officials reported that the blaze had destroyed at least 132 properties and damaged 88 more by Thursday evening.
Evacuation Notices Issued
The Mountain Fire prompted authorities to issue over 14,000 evacuation notices across the region. Many families were forced to evacuate quickly, often only able to save a few essentials. Morin’s frantic exit from her home led her to grab her husband’s diabetes medication, her laptop, and some clothing, but many sentimental items were left behind, including mementos from her child’s early years. “We couldn’t see anything. We were basically driving just in the smoke,” Morin described the chaotic escape.
Eugene Zaharov, another resident, was also caught off guard and had to evacuate with only his wallet and keys as the fire crept towards his neighborhood. “I just feel so sorry for all the neighbors that lost their homes,” Zaharov expressed upon returning to find devastation all around him. Only three homes on his street remained standing.
Antenna to the Fire’s Impact
Meanwhile, Stan Jensen and Dawn DaMart were over 1,000 miles away in Minnesota, away from their Camarillo home when they learned it was engulfed in flames. They received the devastating news through friends, which confirmed their worst fears. Watching news footage of their home burning was heart-wrenching for them. “Almost everything we own is gone,” DaMart shared, highlighting the emotional toll of the disaster as she lost irreplaceable items, including her father’s ring.
Additionally, about 400 homes were officially evacuated with many residents feeling unsafe to return due to the ongoing fire threats. “We see it over and over: People have the best intentions to stay and defend their home right up until the time the fire hits,” stated Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner.
Firefighting Efforts and Weather Challenges
Firefighters have been working tirelessly to control the Mountain Fire, with efforts including aerial water drops. The swift spread of the flames was exacerbated by winds clocking over 60 mph. Fortunately, weather conditions began to improve, and by Friday evening, the fire was reported to be 14% contained. Fire officials remained cautious, reminding residents that even in containment, a single ember could reignite the blaze.
Capt. Thomas Shoots from Cal Fire emphasized the challenges faced in combating the fire, particularly due to rugged terrain that lacked natural barriers. “The biggest challenge is that with a 20,000-acre fire, all it takes is one hot piece of material jumping across the line to get that fire going again,” he warned.
Authorities are now in the process of evaluating when it will be safe for evacuees to return home. Smoldering ashes and downed power lines create a hazardous environment. “We’re making those plans to figure out which areas can be opened,” Shoots noted.
Understanding the Cause
While multiple factors contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, its exact cause remains under investigation. Officials are looking into the possibility of whether power lines may have played a role in igniting the fire. “When a fire like that breaks, we don’t initially go to ‘What started this?’ Our job is to bring stabilization,” a Ventura County fire official explained.
This critical moment falls within California’s fire season, a period marked by dry conditions and strong winds that can lead to devastating wildfires. The frequency of extreme fire-weather days in California has doubled over the past few decades, highlighting the growing concern over climate change and its effects on wildfire activity.
As the community of Camarillo begins to pick up the pieces, the road to recovery will be long and challenging. Lives have been turned upside down, and residents are left to navigate the aftermath of this historic wildfire.
