Injuries were reported and homes were threatened in a Southern California wildfire that began Wednesday and, fueled by high winds, rapidly grew to over 10,000 acres, officials said.
The Mountain Fire in Ventura County prompted evacuation orders, and the blaze grew amid what fire officials called a significant Santa Ana wind event that increased the fire risk for the region.
B&J Drive-In in Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday.B&J Drive – In
The fire began at 8:51 a.m. local time, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. It was zero percent contained, the agency, called Cal Fire, said.
High winds prevented fixed-wing aircraft from helping fight the fire, the Ventura County Fire Department said.
“Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are actively working to protect lives and property,” a spokesperson for the department said on X.
The spokesperson said several people were injured and taken to hospitals.
The fire jumped State Route 118 and part of it was closed due to fire on both sides of the freeway, the California Department of Transportation said. The highway was closed from Santa Clara Avenue to Tierra Rejada Road.
Smoke was also limiting visibility and slowing traffic on the busy 101 freeway, south of the state route, the department said on X.
The National Weather Service said high winds gusting up to around 60 mph were creating extreme fire risk Wednesday. A gust around the fire area was recorded at 54 mph, it said.
A camera from the UC San Diego public safety program ALERTCalifornia showed the fire’s spread.
