201911.01
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Maria fire in Ventura County could reach 12,000 acres before running out of fuel

by in News

Lingering winds were blamed for churning up a wildfire that erupted Thursday evening and quickly spread from a hilltop near Santa Paula, north of Los Angeles.

Authorities in Ventura County ordered evacuations for about 7,500 people in an area that includes roughly 1,800 buildings as the blaze threatened the small, unincorporated rural community of Somis.

The blaze that officials have called the Maria fire has destroyed two homes, the Ventura County Star reports.

  • The Maria fire burns late Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, between Santa Paula and Somis in Ventura County. The blaze had consumed more than 8,000 acres by early Friday and could burn a total of 12,000, a fire official said. (Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The Maria fire burns late Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, between Santa Paula and Somis in Ventura County. The blaze had consumed more than 8,000 acres by early Friday and could burn a total of 12,000, a fire official said. (Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

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  • The Maria fire burns late Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, between Santa Paula and Somis in Ventura County. The blaze had consumed more than 8,000 acres by early Friday and could burn a total of 12,000, a fire official said. (Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The Maria fire burns late Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, between Santa Paula and Somis in Ventura County. The blaze had consumed more than 8,000 acres by early Friday and could burn a total of 12,000, a fire official said. (Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The Maria fire burns late Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, between Santa Paula and Somis in Ventura County. The blaze had consumed more than 8,000 acres by early Friday and could burn a total of 12,000, a fire official said. (Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The Maria fire burns late Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, between Santa Paula and Somis in Ventura County. The blaze had consumed more than 8,000 acres by early Friday and could burn a total of 12,000, a fire official said. (Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News)

  • The Maria Fire burns on a hilltop in a view from Somis, Calif. Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Firefighters battle the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. According to Ventura County Fire Department, the blaze has scorched more than 8,000 acres and destroyed at least two structures. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  • Smoke from the Maria Fire rises above an oil pumpjack in Santa Paula, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. According to Ventura County Fire Department, the blaze has scorched more than 8,000 acres and destroyed at least two structures. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  • Smoke from the Maria Fire billows above Santa Paula, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019. Calmer weather allowed crews to increase containment on wildfires after a three-week siege of gusts fanned blazes across California and led utilities to cut power to prevent winds from blowing branches into electric lines and igniting an inferno. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  • Firefighter Giannis Giagos battles the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. According to Ventura County Fire Department, the blaze has scorched more than 8,000 acres and destroyed at least two structures. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  • Flames from a backfire consume a hillside as firefighters battle the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. According to Ventura County Fire Department, the blaze has scorched more than 8,000 acres and destroyed at least two structures. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  • Firefighter Giannis Giagos battles the Maria Fire in Santa Paula, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. According to Ventura County Fire Department, the blaze has scorched more than 8,000 acres and destroyed at least two structures. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

  • The Maria Fire burns on a hilltop in a view from Somis, Calif. Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • The Maria Fire creates a glow over The Saticoy Country Club Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Fire crews stage on a fire road in front of the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • A structure is engulfed by the advancing Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Firefighters walks on a road leading to a residence as the Maria Fire burns on a hillside Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Firefighters walks on a road leading to a residence as the Maria Fire burns on a hillside Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Firefighters walks on a road leading to a residence as the Maria Fire burns on a hillside Thursday, Oct. 31 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • A firefighter battles the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • A firefighter watches flying embers while battling the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • A firefighter cuts barbed wire to let the rest of his crew enter a fire zone while battling the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Firefighters discuss their strategy as they fight the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Fire crews battle the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • A firefighter battles the Maria Fire Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • Firefighters battle the Maria Fire Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • A firefighter stands on a road as the Maria Fire burns behind him Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in Somis, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

  • This photo from video provided by KTLA-TV shows shows the beginning of the Maria fire at an antenna farm atop South Mountain near Santa Paula, Calif., Thursday evening, Oct. 31, 2019. (KTLA-TV via AP)

  • This remote-camera photo posted on the Ventura County Fire Department’s Twitter page shows the beginning of the Maria fire at an antenna farm atop South Mountain near Santa Paula, Calif., Thursday evening, Oct. 31, 2019. (Ventura County Fire Department via AP)

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Hundreds of firefighters raced to attack the Maria fire, which initially was fanned by moderate winds and then was fueled by tinder-dry brush in canyons. It grew in only a few hours to more than 8,000 acres — just over 12.6 square miles — and was 0% contained Friday morning.

The Ventura County Fire Department said the blaze was first reported at 6:14 p.m. Thursday.

The Maria fire had consumed 8,730 acres, and 500 firefighters and three helicopters were battling it as of Friday morning, the Ventura County Star reported.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the area bounded to the north by South Mountain Road, to the west by West Los Angeles Avenue, to the east by Balcom County Road and  to the south by the 118 Freeway.

A shelter for evacuees has been set up at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley St. in Camarillo. Small animals can be taken to the Camarillo Animal Shelter, 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo. Large animals can be evacuated to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, and the Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real in Santa Barbara.

The county announced the following road closures:

  • South Mountain Road between 12th Street and Balcom Canyon
  • Berylwood Road at Aggen Road
  • West La Loma Road between Center Road and Walnut Avenue
  • Price Road at East Los Angeles Avenue (118 Freeway)
  • Clubhouse Drive at East Los Angeles Avenue (118 Freeway)
  • La Vista Avenue at West Los Angeles Avenue (118 Freeway)

Free N-95 protective masks are being distributed to residents at Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley St. in Camarillo; Santa Paula Hospital, 825 N. 10th St. in Santa Paula; and Ventura County Public Health, 3147 Loma Vista Road in Ventura.

Ventura County Fire Assistant Chief John McNeil estimated that the fire could reach around 12,000 acres before running out of fuel. Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said a small drone that appeared to be “looking at photography of the fire” interfered with aerial firefighting efforts Thursday.

The county is providing an interactive map that shows the fire borders, evacuations, road closures and power outages. The latest information is also available on the county’s VCemergency.com website.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is sending two strike teams — each consisting of five engines and a battalion chief — to assist the Ventura County Fire Department in fighting the Maria fire, said LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

Meanwhile, dozens of local schools across several districts announced Friday closures because of what officials dubbed the Maria fire. Visit www.vcoe.org for the latest school closures.

Daily News staff writer Steven Rosenberg contributed to this report.

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