rewrite this title Mountain Fire Destroys 130+ Structures North Of Los Angeles; Thousands Evacuated As Governor Declares State Of Emergency; 7% Containment – Update

Hundreds of firefighters and multiple helicopters on the scene were working under dangerous “red flag” conditions expected to continue through Thursday night in most areas — and in the North through early Friday morning.

Evacuation orders were extended late this morning east into Moorpark as far the Grimes Canyon Road (the 23) and as far south as E. Los Angeles Avenue (the 118). Those orders were put in place in anticipation of the Santa Anas weakening this evening and a more regular — and less intense — wind from the west picking up, which could push the fire eastward.

To the south, after burning portions of Camarillo Heights, the fire spotted ahead to the northern side of the 101 freeway. The Camarillo Airport lies just the other side of the 101. See areas burned, below in red.

Some 10,800 electrical customers in Ventura County were without power as of Thursday evening. Southern California Edison has set up community resource centers at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center in Moorpark, Simi Valley Senior Center and the Ventura Beach Marriott that are open from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday.

The Mountain Fire broke out Wednesday morning near Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road in Somis, and jumped the 118 Freeway driven by winds capable of gusting to 100 mph in some areas. Numerous homes have been damaged or destroyed in the Camarillo Heights and the Camarillo Estates areas, and evacuation orders remain in place.

Cal Fire is coordinating with the Ventura County and San Luis Obispo County fire department to battle the flames. The Los Angeles Fire Department dispatched nearly 100 firefighters to the blaze, including at least five strike teams, along with another team that included fire personnel from Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica. Other local fire departments including Glendale also are on the scene.

PREVIOUSLY, 6:28 PM Wednesday: “Firefighters were engaged right off the bat with pulling people out of their houses and saving lives,” said Trevor Johnson, Operations Chief of the Ventura County Fire Department at a press conference today to discuss the Mountain Fire northwest of Los Angeles. He said it was “a tough fire fight” from the moment emergency personnel arrived on scene this morning in the area between between Moorpark and Somis.

The Mountain Fire is currently at 10,480 acres with 0% containment. Emergency responders have made more than 14,000 contacts to evacuate people in the community, according to officials. Two civilians were transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation.

One day after a historic presidential election, every local newscast in Los Angeles was focused on coverage of the Mountain Fire, including images of homes burning, correspondents on the ground and interviews with evacuees and local officials.

“This is a classic Santa Ana wind event. We’ve got sustained winds over 50 mph with gusts over 80,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “Every firefighter in the region, all of our partners — from Los Angeles County, Orange County, Kern County, Santa Barbara County, our partners at CalFire, our partners in law enforcement, the Sheriff, every helicopter, every fixed wing aircraft, everything we’ve been able to get ahold of — is here fighting this fire, and it is moving at a dangerous rate of spread.”

A major contributing factor, said Gardner, is those winds. As a result, “This fire has spotted more than two and one-half miles out in front of itself.”