12-10-2023 11:50am

Fire in Ventura County advances 3,000 acres

Anita Johnson-Brown Editor

On Sunday, December 10, Firefighters continued to battle the wind-fueled South blaze scorching Ventura County between Somis and Santa Paula.

The fire started at 9:30 a.m. Saturday close to the top of the ridgeline of South Mountain, burning along the southern inclines of South Mountain, in a deep terrain to the west of Honda Barranca Road and north of La Loma Road.

.The flames have currently burned about 3,000 acres and were being pushed to the south and west by blustery northeasterly breezes, officials said.

Firefighters say due to gusty winds the fire may advance overnight, with 15 percent containment reached. No structures have been lost, however, One outbuilding has been charred by the flames.

Multiple roads in the area are shut down, including roads from West Los Angeles Avenue northward to West La Loma Avenue, including La Vista Avenue, Walnut Avenue, Price Road, and Aggen Road, as well as West La Loma Avenue east from La Vista Roadas reported by CBS news.

Evacuation mandates for the following locations were lifted:

Somis

North: East La Loma Avenue & West La Loma Avenue
South: East Los Angeles Avenue
East: Aggen Road
West: La Vista Avenue

Mission Rock Road Area, Santa Paula

North: Hwy 126
South: Santa Clara River
East: S. Briggs Road

Evacuation Warnings remain in effect until about 5 p.m. for the following areas

Saticoy Country Club Area

North: Santa Clara River
South and West: W. Los Angeles Ave.
East: La Vista Ave

A shelter has been set up at the Ventura College Small Gym C, located at Ventura Community College, at 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura CA 93003.

According to the the National Weather Service a Red Flag Warning is set in place until 3 p.m. Sunday for Ventura County, as extreme wind gusts reaching 35-50 mph are forecast for most mountain and foothill locations.

Citizens with questions regarding the fire may call the Incident Information Hotline at 805-465-6650.

At this time, The cause of the blaze is not immediately known.

Anita Johnson-Brown|The Los Angeles News