Fast-moving Mountain Fire prompts closures at Southern California colleges
Over 130 homes have been destroyed in a wind-fueled wildfire in Southern California that has grown to over 20,000 acres, officials said Thursday as firefighters continued to try to control the blaze in Ventura County.
Over 130 homes have been destroyed in a wind-fueled wildfire in Southern California that has grown to over 20,000 acres, officials said Thursday as firefighters continued to try to control the blaze in Ventura County.
Damage assessment teams were conducting inspections after the Mountain Fire, which is still burning, set homes ablaze in Camarillo Heights and other parts of the county.
In 298 inspections of homes, 132 were found destroyed and 88 were damaged, Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andy VanSciver said at a news conference. Video from NBC Los Angeles showed homes burned to the ground.
"The devastation is absolutely heartbreaking," Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff said. He said some residents escaped with nothing but their lives.
The Mountain Fire erupted at 8:51 a.m. Wednesday and was fueled by what fire officials called a significant Santa Ana wind event, with gusts of over 60 mph. Embers from the fire were carried over 2 miles and started spot fires.
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