Brush Fire Expands to Over 2,000 Acres in Ventura County; Evacuation Order, Warning Issued

SOMIS, Calif., Dec. 10 (KNN) — Winds continue to fuel a brush fire in Ventura County that erupted around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and prompted an air and ground response by the Ventura County Fire Department.

Initially reported at 50 acres, the fire – dubbed the “South Fire” – exploded to over 2,000 acres in size by midnight.

According to VC Emergency (Official Ventura County Incident Information Source), the county’s emergency operations center (EOC) was activated to facilitate supporting the response. The fire is burning along the southern slopes of South Mountain, in rugged terrain to the west of Honda Barranca Road and north of La Loma Road. The fire is currently approximately 2,444 acres in size. The fire is being driven to the south and west by gusty northeasterly winds.

An Evacuation Order has been issued for the following areas:

South Mountain – south side foothills
- North : East La Loma Avenue & West La Loma Avenue
- South: East Los Angeles Avenue
- East: Aggen Road
- West: La Vista Avenue
Saticoy Country Club Area
- North : Santa Clara River
- South and West: W. Los Angeles Ave.
- East: La Vista Ave

An Evacuation Warning has been issued for the following areas:

S. Mission Rock Road Area, Santa Paula
- North : Hwy 126
- South: Santa Clara River
- East: S. Briggs Road

A shelter has been activated at the Ventura College Small Gym C:

Ventura Community College
4667 Telegraph Rd. Ventura CA 93003
For Ventura College Campus Map of Small Gym C click here .

The following road closures are in effect:

from W. Los Angeles Ave. northward to W. La Loma Ave.
- La Vista Ave.
- Walnut Ave.
- Price Road
- Aggen Road
W. La Loma Ave. east from La Vista Road

Individuals with questions regarding this event can contact the Incident Information Hotline at 805-465-6650.

Per VC Emergency, a Santa Ana wind event is expected to continue through Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service has declared a Red Flag Warning for Ventura County, as peak wind gusts reaching 35-50 mph are forecast for most mountain and foothill areas in combination with lowering humidity. Red Flag Warning conditions are set to conclude at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

Gabriel Pabon, Video Journalist / KNN