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Southern California fire moving ‘dangerously fast’ with 0% containment
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Southern California fire moving ‘dangerously fast’ with 0% containment

A fast-moving brush fire broke out across 14,000 acres on Wednesday, prompting evacuations. red flag warning From the National Weather Service.

While Ventura County remains under an “extremely critical” wildfire warning, firefighters are trying to gain the upper hand on the Mountain Fire, which is currently 0% contained.

At least two people were transported to hospitals for smoke inhalation, Ventura County Fire Chief Justin Gardner said at a news conference Wednesday evening.

An exact figure on the damage is expected on Thursday, as the area is too dangerous to fully assess the damage, according to Gardner.

At least 14,000 people were told to evacuate, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said.

PHOTO: A firefighter walks along a road covered in smoke and embers as high winds push the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, November 6, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)PHOTO: A firefighter walks along a road covered in smoke and embers as high winds push the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, November 6, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOTO: A firefighter walks along a road covered in smoke and embers as high winds push the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, November 6, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)

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The Mountain Fire is one of two wind-driven fires in Southern California, prompting the NWS to issue a rare red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, warning of “extreme fire risk” from Malibu to the San Gabriel Mountains. North of Los Angeles where winds can gust up to 100 miles per hour.

“A very strong, widespread, and prolonged Santa Ana wind event will bring extremely critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Wednesday through Thursday,” according to the NWS alert.

As of Wednesday, there were at least two wind-driven fires in Southern California.

Mountain Fever

The fast-burning Mountain Fire in Ventura County has spread across 14,000 acres, prompting evacuation orders, threatening structures and causing multiple injuries, according to local fire officials.

“We know we lost homes, we know our homes were damaged and we know there were injuries, but I don’t have any numbers,” Public Information Officer Scott Dettorre told ABC News.

“The injured that we know of are civilians, there are no firefighter injuries at this time,” Dettorre said.

Fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts due to extreme wind conditions, according to the Ventura Fire Department, which said ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are “actively working to protect lives and property.”

PHOTO: A firefighting helicopter crashes over the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)PHOTO: A firefighting helicopter crashes over the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOTO: A firefighting helicopter crashes over the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)

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Evacuation orders are in effect from Walnut Ave to Balcom Canyon Road, from North Highway 118 to the ridgeline, and west to Saticoy County Club in Ventura County. CAL Fever.

Wide Fire

A second wildfire — called the Broad Fire — broke out in the Malibu area of ​​Los Angeles County on Wednesday, burning at least 50 acres southwest of South Malibu Canyon Road and the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu. CAL Fever.

PHOTO: Fire Danger - Latest Warnings and Wind Strength Map (ABC News)PHOTO: Fire Danger - Latest Warnings and Wind Strength Map (ABC News)

PHOTO: Fire Danger – Latest Warnings and Wind Strength Map (ABC News)

Local fire officials warned residents to prepare for possible evacuations and PCH was closed in both directions between Webb Road and Corral Canyon.

Santa Ana wind conditions

Santa Ana winds in the region, named after the Santa Ana Canyon in Southern California, bring harsh, dry and warm winds blowing from the desert, drying out vegetation and increasing the danger of wildfires.

The prolonged Santa Ana wind event will peak on Wednesday, become moderate on Thursday, then fade to light offshore winds on Friday.

Northeast winds moving at 20 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts as high as 60 mph expected throughout Southern California’s canyons and gorges through Wednesday, with higher gusts expected in more wind-prone areas.

Another wave of winds is expected to peak late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with northeast winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph and reaching gusts of 50 mph before weakening significantly by Thursday afternoon.

Southern California fire moving ‘dangerously fast’ with 0% containment originally appeared abcnews.go.com