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California wildfire: Firefighters gain ground as weather conditions improve

Evacuation orders downgraded as firefighters aided by lighter winds, mild temperatures and low humidity

The Mountain Fire broke out on Wednesday and quickly spread over a vast area of southern California. Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
The Mountain Fire broke out on Wednesday and quickly spread over a vast area of southern California. Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
Sun Nov 10 2024 - 08:58

Firefighters in southern California have gained ground on a wildfire that has ravaged more than 100 structures as gusty winds subsided.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings for residents in several areas of Ventura County, where the Mountain Fire held at about 82sq km (32sq miles) and was 21 per cent contained, authorities said.

Firefighters were aided by lighter winds, mild temperatures and low humidity, which let fuels dry out and burn off quickly, according to meteorologists from the National Weather Service.

“We had a very successful day with the favourable weather,” Ventura fire chief Nick Cleary said of Saturday.

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The fire broke out last Wednesday morning and exploded in size amid the arrival of dry, warm and gusty winds, forcing thousands of residents to flee and threatening 3,500 structures in suburban neighbourhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around the community of Camarillo.

A home burns in the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, California. Photograph: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
A home burns in the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, California. Photograph: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

More 100 structures were destroyed and another 25 damaged, fire officials said after inspection teams fanned out to evaluate the impact.

Agriculture officials assessing the toll on farmland sown with avocado, citrus fruits and berries have estimated the damage at 2.4 million US dollars (£1.8 million), local reports said.

Smoky air hangs over the area and it is expected to linger for several days. But forecasters said the weather will remain favourable on Sunday and Monday with low temperatures and an onshore breeze.

Louie Gonzalez visits what remains of his mother’s home after it was destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
Louie Gonzalez visits what remains of his mother’s home after it was destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP

Another round of northeast winds is expected on Tuesday, but humidity is expected to rise and gusts are not expected to surge as high as those that fanned the fire, National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Walbrun said.

The region northwest of Los Angeles has seen some of California’s most destructive fires over the years. The Mountain Fire swiftly grew from 1.2 sq km (0.5sq mile) to more than 41sq km (16sq miles) in little more than five hours on Wednesday, with gusts topping 61m/h. – AP