On Friday, officials in Southern California battled to contain a rapidly spreading wildfire that has already destroyed many homes and businesses, resulting in the evacuation of over 10,000 people.

The wildfire, known as the Mountain Fire, expanded rapidly in Ventura County since it was first detected on Wednesday morning, driven by strong winds. As of Thursday, inspection teams reported that at least 132 structures were destroyed, while 88 were damaged. Currently, Cal Fire reports that approximately 5% of the blaze, which covers 20,485 acres, has been contained.

The northern section of the fire, located near Santa Paula, is burning through steep and difficult terrain, making firefighting efforts challenging. Following a decrease in Santa Ana winds Thursday night, officials expressed concern that returning onshore winds could exacerbate the fire’s spread to the north and east.

As of Friday morning, over 2,400 firefighters are working to control the Mountain Fire, utilizing 378 engines, 14 helicopters, and 17 bulldozers, according to Cal Fire.

At a news briefing, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff reported that 10 individuals suffered injuries due to the fire, including several cases of smoke inhalation, but none were life-threatening. A firefighter was among those hurt, according to Cal Fire.

Fryhoff noted that 400 homes were evacuated on Thursday, with 250 residents choosing to remain despite evacuation mandates, which affected 12 zones in a considerable area of Ventura County. An additional 800 homes were already unoccupied when first responders arrived to issue warnings.

“The level of destruction is truly heartbreaking,” remarked Fryhoff.

Governor Newsom implements emergency measures in Ventura County

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Thursday for Ventura County and secured a federal grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for essential resources needed to combat the fire, as his office stated.

According to Newsom, approximately 3,500 structures, including homes and businesses, are at risk from the wildfire. In response to the Mountain Fire and other fires across the state, the governor deployed 48 firefighting units, nine helicopters, and over 100 personnel across 19 counties since Sunday.

“This is a perilous fire that’s spreading quickly and endangering lives. State resources are being activated to safeguard communities, and federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration will provide the necessary aid to local firefighters as they continue the battle against this intense fire,” said Newsom.

Red flag warnings remain in parts of Southern California

Although red flag warnings have lapsed in Ventura County, other areas in Southern California still urge against outdoor burning due to heightened fire risks.

Regions under these warnings experience “critical fire weather,” characterized by a mix of high winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures that can trigger “extreme fire behavior.”

The National Weather Service in San Diego issued a red flag warning for parts of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, noting the danger from northeast winds and humidity levels between 5 and 10%.

“Any fires that start are likely to spread rapidly,” cautioned the weather service. “Outdoor burning is not advisable.”