WILDFIRE CHAOS: Thousands Flee as California Inferno Spreads
— A fast-moving WILDFIRE near Camarillo, California, has destroyed dozens of homes and forced over 10,000 residents to evacuate. Heavy winds fueled the Mountain Fire’s rapid spread from less than half a square mile to over 22 square miles in just hours. The fire remained at 0% containment late Wednesday, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed evacuation orders for thousands as the fire threatened 3,500 structures in suburban and agricultural areas. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning until Thursday evening due to high fire danger conditions. Winds are expected to decrease by Thursday night, offering some hope for containment efforts.
Power outages affected over 30,000 customers statewide early Thursday morning amid Santa Ana winds notorious for spreading fires quickly. Flames consumed homes while firefighters worked tirelessly with ground crews and helicopters throughout the night. Thick smoke blanketed neighborhoods and limited visibility for both evacuees and emergency responders battling this devastating blaze.