With improved weather conditions, firefighting teams were able to enhance containment efforts on the wildfire burning northwest of Los Angeles over the weekend, but approximately 1,000 evacuated houses remain off-limits to their residents.

The Mountain Fire, which started last Wednesday, has destroyed over 130 structures, while another 88 have sustained damage. By Sunday morning, containment had reached 26%, with nearly 3,000 firefighters engaged in the battle. Just two days prior, containment stood at a mere 7%.

The fire ignited early Wednesday in Ventura County, rapidly expanding due to intense Santa Ana winds and arid conditions, which led to the evacuation of more than 10,000 individuals from their homes.

By Thursday evening, the blaze had reached its current size of approximately 20,640 acres as winds began to ease, allowing firefighters to gain some control.

Cal Fire’s operations section chief, Clint Swensen, indicated on Sunday that efforts are currently concentrated in the Santa Paula and Camarillo Heights regions of Ventura County.

Some injuries reported, but no fatalities

At least 10 individuals suffered injuries, primarily due to smoke inhalation, but there have been no known life-threatening injuries or deaths, according to Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.

Fire crews faced challenges with low water pressure and power outages, hindering their response efforts. Reports of destruction from severely affected areas in Camarillo Heights showed homes reduced to mere frames and brick chimneys.

“The destruction is truly heartbreaking,” Fryhoff remarked.

Fryhoff shared that residents from about 3,500 homes have been allowed to return, with plans to permit individuals from half of the remaining 2,000 evacuated homes to return over the weekend. At one point, more than 10,000 residents were forced to evacuate.

Weather conditions become favorable

Red flag warnings have been lifted across the region as winds have changed direction. The National Weather Service indicated that milder winds from the ocean were anticipated over the weekend.

After the Santa Ana winds brought hot, dry air from the northeast on Wednesday and Thursday, the cooler ocean breezes began to move in late Thursday, leading to improved conditions by the weekend.

Unlike the Santa Ana winds, ocean breezes typically increase humidity levels. However, the intensity of the Santa Ana winds helped push dry air far out to sea, explained Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

The forecast suggests a return of the Santa Ana winds by Tuesday, but models predict they will have a much weaker effect compared to what the region has recently faced, according to Munroe.

Nevertheless, forecasters warned about heightened fire weather conditions inland from the coast through Sunday, with a slight chance of light rain on Monday.

Air quality improves significantly

An air quality alert was issued in Ventura County until late Saturday due to persistent smoke and ash lingering from the fire.

The weather service reported that air particulates were at unhealthy levels but improvements were noted with the change in weather conditions. Officials urged folks to remain indoors when possible and recommended wearing N95 masks for those engaged in outdoor activities.

With the arrival of onshore winds and improved containment efforts, air quality saw significant improvements, reaching a “moderate” rating on the AirNow scale by Sunday, nearing the “good” threshold.

Agricultural losses reported

Preliminary evaluations have estimated the damage to Ventura County’s agriculture sector at $2.4 million, with the most significant losses affecting avocado, citrus, and berry crops. County Agricultural Commissioner Korinne Bell mentioned that this estimate only accounts for 2% of the burned area, which encompasses roughly 12,000 acres of farmland, indicating that the total will likely increase.

“We’ve only begun our assessments. There’s a lot more to evaluate,” Bell told the Ventura County Star, highlighting that the impact is not limited to crops and trees but may also affect agricultural infrastructure such as fences, irrigation systems, and outbuildings.