Moorpark is further North and West of the Library and the 23. Thankfully, the Library is not at risk in this fire.
Posted on 12/03/2006 2:51:37 PM PST by bd476
Hundreds Of Others Threatened By Flames In Ventura County
(AP) A fire driven by strong Santa Ana winds destroyed two homes Sunday and threatened hundreds of others as residents began to flee while flames raced through canyons and over hillsides.
The blaze burned about 2,000 acres, or three square miles, and destroyed two homes and a storage building with farm equipment, said Capt. Ron Nelson of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. Fire officials called for voluntary evacuations as hundreds of residents packed up valuables while dozens of trailers used to transport livestock were lined up on a road.
"The sheriff's said if you see flames, leave," said Dave Hare, who was at a home on the site of a recycling business he owns. Although Hare's friend soaked his roof with water, "I told him just forget it and get out of there," he said.
The blaze began at 2:30 a.m. and burned through heavy brush, eucalyptus groves and orchards in the northwest section of Moorpark. Several hundred firefighters were hampered by 70 mph winds that were expected to last through the end of Sunday. Water-dropping helicopters also were used.
"We are in a structure protection mode," said Ventura County Fire Capt. Barry Parker. "It's smoky, it's dusty and it's hard to breathe."
Parker added residents were told, "It's time that you leave."
There was no containment figures and no injuries were reported. A fire engine belonging to the California Department of Forestry tipped over during the initial response, but three firefighters aboard were not injured. The driver of the engine apparently got too close to the edge of the road to allow a car to go by when the accident occurred, said T.T. Uhrich, a spokesman with the California Highway Patrol.
Another blaze began about 7 a.m. near Moorpark, but fire officials later classified both fires as a single blaze known as the Sheckell incident, although they were a couple of miles apart, authorities said. A third fire burned south of Camarillo and was expected to be contained at 30 acres, authorities said.
In Riverside County, firefighters gained control of a wildfire that burned 100 acres of hillside brush. The fire, which began late Saturday near a high school in Norco, was fanned by strong winds and caused one minor injury to a firefighter.
The cause of all the fires was under investigation.
thx for posting the pics....I was watching Channel 7 update the fire live and posting what they were saying....it doesn't look too good up there right now because of the winds....hopefully all will leave who should leave and they get the animals out safely...I'm in Midtown LA
Moorpark is further North and West of the Library and the 23. Thankfully, the Library is not at risk in this fire.
Thanks Yaelle. Prayers up for all.
You're welcome, Texicali. The people in Moorpark and further out get educated on these wildfires as soon as they move in and generally don't take many chances with their own lives or the lives of their animals.
However, the big problem today are the winds which makes this fire so unpredictable.
Many prayers for these homeowners, the firefighters, and the animals...
The pictures bd...they're dreadful.
I have a friend who used to have a ranch up in the mountains near there....I remember the stories I've heard about rounding up the horses and moving them....they never lost any either
It is a beautiful area. It's easy to love the area because it is like going to another State completely once you leave L.A.
The woman in the photo here was just interviewed on local news. She said that they were completely caught off guard by this fire because the winds were so unpredictable today. She and her Mother lost everything.
Prayers extended for anyone in the path of this fire and a prayer that winds go away tonight.
Fire burns 5 California homes; hundreds more in danger (4,100 acres 0% containment)
how close are you to what's going on up there?
Cindy, this is the most recent update from the Ventura County Fire Department on the large fire in Moorpark, California.
Shekell Complex Fire Update
Final Update Until 0700, 12/4/06(December 3, 2006, 7:24 p.m.) - A fire started at approximately 2:30 a.m. on December 3, 2006 in the area between Shekell Road, Grimes Canyon Road, Balcom Canyon Road and Stockton Road in Moorpark.
Approximately 4100 acres have burned. The Ventura County Fire Protection District and the California Department of Forestry have established a unified command. This unified command also includes mutual aid from various agencies including Ventura City, Oxnard City, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City and Federal Fire of Ventura County. There are over 600 personnel currently on scene and it is estimated that over 800 personnel will be on scene by this evening.
There are currently about 3000 residences are threatened in the area with structure protection in place. Five structures have been damaged and five have been destroyed. Six out buildings have also been destroyed.North East winds have been predicted through Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The wind is blowing at 20-25 mph with wind gusts of up to 70 mph.
Recommended evacuations are at Walnut Canyon, Broadway, College Heights, Grimes Canyon Corridor and Charles Street, Happy Camp, Campus Park and Lafayette. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department will advise residents of possible evacuations and advise everyone to be prepared.
Road closures are as follows:
- Grimes Canyon Road
- Bradley Road
- Champion to Bardsdale Avenue
- Princeton at Campus
- Balcom Canyon
- Evertt Street in Moorpark
An American Red Cross shelter has been opened at Royal High School at 1402 Royal Avenue in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks Community Center at 2525 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.
There was an accident with one California Department of Forestry (CDF) Rig that tipped over. There was one minor injury. All personnel are back and working at the fireline.School Information:
Moorpark School District - 805-378-6300
District will be closed on 12/4/06
Moorpark College - 805-378-1400
Somis Unified School District - 805-386-5711
Simi Valley School District - 805-520-6500
Animal Information:
For information regarding horses you may contact the Ventura County Fair Grounds at 10 West Harbor Boulevard in Ventura at 866-387-8911.
For information regarding pets and livestock you may contact the Ventura County Animal Regulation at 600 Aviation Drive at 888-223-PETS or 866-387-8911.
Small animals are being accepted in Simi Valley at 670 West Los Angeles Avenue.
Ventura County Fire Department
Thank you for that update bd476.
The latest news: 9,700 acres burned. 0% containment
Once you've been anywhere near one of these things you remember it forever. We lived just a bit north of the boundary where the Laguna Beach fire decided to turn east at dusk when the onshore breeze started instead of continuing north up the coast.
That was a devastating fire, of course all of them are.
I just moved out of a fire damger area here in Texas....some folks just don't get it here....brush burning even during red flag warning days and no rain to speak of for months.
The pic you posted of the two people sitting in the living room and through their window you could see the fire across the road. I would think it was time to get out of there. Wow.
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