Camarillo Heights resident Maurice Kerr found himself standing among the charred remains of his home on Thursday morning, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the Mountain fire.
As the acrid smell of smoke filled the air, the 68-year-old reflected on his futile attempts to combat the fire, which aggressively approached his residence shortly after it ignited on Wednesday morning. “I did my best to fight the wind-driven Mountain fire,” he recounted, as fiery embers rained down on his property.
Equipped with only a fire hose connected to his indoor pool, he quickly realized that his efforts were no match for the fierce 50- to 60-mph winds fanning the flames. Despite the valiant efforts of firefighters who arrived to rescue him, his sprawling 4,800-square-foot ranch-style home succumbed to the flames, marking a tragic loss alongside many others during what has been described as the most extreme Santa Ana wind event in years.
“I finally had to hose myself down to put myself out,” he remarked, detailing the harrowing experience of narrowly escaping the inferno.
As the full extent of the devastation became clear on Thursday, officials confirmed that a staggering 132 structures were destroyed and another 88 were damaged, elevating the Mountain fire to one of the most destructive in Southern California in recent memory.
By Thursday evening, the inferno had consumed over 20,400 acres of land, displacing thousands and exhausting local firefighting resources. The fire rapidly spread through foothill communities near Camarillo and Moorpark, propelled by dangerous offshore winds that the National Weather Service labeled “particularly dangerous.”
Sparking new blazes, embers from the Mountain fire ignited additional fires up to 2½ miles in advance of the main flames, illustrating the unpredictable nature of wildfires in such extreme conditions. As of 6 p.m., firefighters had only managed to gain 5% containment of the blaze amidst rapidly changing conditions.
In response to the escalating threat, officials implemented further evacuation orders in the Santa Paula area, cautioning that over 30,000 residents could be in the fire’s path and urging them to prepare for additional alerts or evacuation notices due to potentially shifting winds.
Throughout Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom convened with first responders and visited affected communities. By late afternoon, he declared a state of emergency in Ventura County to expedite the deployment of resources needed to combat the fast-moving fire.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, more than 5,000 homes remained under evacuation orders or warnings, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
“The fire remains dynamic, and it remains dangerous,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner cautioned, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the raging flames.
With firefighting crews fatigued after enduring a lengthy night battling the blaze, helicopters resumed their aerial operations on Thursday. Firefighters focused their efforts on hotspots within the rugged Santa Susana Mountains, an area complicated by steep terrain. “It’s rugged, steep ground that only our finest firefighters can even access,” said Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson, affirming confidence in the capabilities of his team.
Fire chiefs reported that water supply issues contributed to the challenging firefighting environment, with some areas experiencing diminished water pressure, hampering their efforts to combat the flames effectively.
In the upscale community of Camarillo Heights, the aftermath of the fire painted a bleak picture of destruction. Residents surveyed the scene, near Old Coach Drive where 17 homes were completely lost and another 19 disappeared on Cerro Crest Drive. “It got even my garden,” lamented Kerr, pointing to the charred remains of his vegetable garden and avocado trees.
Residents embraced amid the devastation as they came to terms with their staggering losses, reflecting both gratitude for their survival and sorrow for their beloved homes reduced to ashes.
The National Weather Service had previously issued a “particularly dangerous situation” alert, warning of extreme fire weather conditions throughout southwest California, a warning not declared in the Los Angeles area since 2020.
Though predictions for slightly better conditions emerged on Thursday, with diminishing winds expected, the raging fires continued to pose significant risks across the region.
Notably, the Broad fire ignited near Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on Wednesday, reaching 98% containment by Thursday afternoon after burning 50 acres. The Frenchman fire also broke out in the Angeles National Forest, with initial containment efforts halting its spread after causing some damage.
With the Mountain fire originating near Bradley and Balcom Canyon roads—a remote area north of Somis—the investigation into its cause continues as officials monitor active flames and embers.
Southern California Edison announced power shutdowns for almost 70,000 utility customers throughout the region in response to heightened wildfire risks. As of Thursday afternoon, about 45,000 customers were still without power, but efforts to restore service began slowly.
Amid the chaos, the American Red Cross established evacuation shelters for displaced residents, where evacuees shared harrowing stories of fleeing the flames with little time to spare.
Local authorities warned of poor air quality due to smoke and ash from the Mountain fire, leading to the closure of several Ventura County schools on Thursday.
**Interview with Maurice Kerr, a resident affected by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo Heights**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Maurice. I can’t even begin to imagine what you must be going through right now. Can you describe the moment you realized your home was in danger due to the Mountain Fire?
**Maurice Kerr:** Thank you for having me. It was terrifying. On Wednesday morning, I could see the smoke rising in the distance, and within moments, the flames were racing towards my home. I grabbed my fire hose connected to the indoor pool and tried to fight it. But the winds were ferocious—50 to 60 mph—and it felt hopeless. As embers rained down, I knew I had to act fast.
**Interviewer:** That sounds very frightening. You mentioned you had to hose yourself down. Can you share what that experience was like?
**Maurice Kerr:** Yes, it was surreal. I was surrounded by fire, and I realized I was getting burned. Hosing myself down was a desperate attempt to cool off and protect myself. It was a chaotic scene—I witnessed the fire consuming everything I built, and I lost everything that mattered to me.
**Interviewer:** Understandably, that’s a devastating loss. As the full extent of the fire’s impact became known, officials reported a staggering number of structures destroyed. How has your community responded to this tragedy?
**Maurice Kerr:** The community is in shock. We’re all looking around at the destruction and realizing that so many of us have lost our homes. My neighbors and I are trying to support each other. There’s a sense of camaraderie here; we’re sharing stories and helping those who are in the worst situations.
**Interviewer:** It seems like the firefighting efforts have been quite challenging. What have you observed about the response from the firefighters?
**Maurice Kerr:** The firefighters have been incredible. They arrived quickly and did everything they could to save homes, but the fire was relentless. I saw them working tirelessly even as the conditions worsened. There were moments when they were stretched thin—water supply issues added to the chaos, and they had to navigate incredibly difficult terrain.
**Interviewer:** That’s commendable of them. What are your thoughts on the state of emergency declared by Governor Newsom and the evacuation orders in place?
**Maurice Kerr:** I think it’s absolutely necessary. The fire remains dangerous, and we need all the resources we can get. The evacuation orders are crucial for everyone’s safety. I hope people listen and heed those warnings; it’s not just about one person’s home—this fire has the potential to impact thousands.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your story, Maurice. As you pick up the pieces from this disaster, what are your plans moving forward?
**Maurice Kerr:** Right now, I’m focused on finding a place to stay and ensuring my family and pets are safe. I’ll have to reassess everything and figure out how to rebuild, but it’ll be a long journey. I believe, with time, we will heal as a community.
**Interviewer:** We wish you and your community strength during this difficult time. Thank you for speaking with us today.
**Maurice Kerr:** Thank you for having me and for shedding light on this tragedy. It means a lot to our community.
