California wildfire burns out of control but firefighters could get a break when winds diminish

Source: AP

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and NOAH BERGER
Updated 4:58 PM CST, November 7, 2024

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire northwest of Los Angeles burned out of control for a second day Thursday after destroying dozens of homes, but officials said firefighters could get a break with fierce winds expected to subside by evening.

More than 10,000 residents remained under evacuation orders as the Mountain Fire continued to threaten some 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around Camarillo in Ventura County. The blaze, which broke out around 9 a.m. Wednesday, had zero containment, and the cause was unknown.

County fire officials said crews working in steep terrain with support from water-dropping helicopters were focusing on protecting homes on hillsides along the fire’s northeast edge near the city of Santa Paula, home to more than 30,000 people.

“It’s been a long 26 hours since this incident started, and it remains dynamic and it remains dangerous,” Ventura County Fire Department Chief Dustin Gardner said at a Thursday morning briefing.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-mountain-fire-winds-los-angeles-e89f8cad94f132c9700180025e5b05fe