Current:Home > StocksSlower winds aid firefighters battling destructive blaze in California-InfoLens
Slower winds aid firefighters battling destructive blaze in California
View Date:2024-12-23 12:02:39
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California firefighters on Saturday were gaining ground on a wildfire that ravaged more than 130 structures as gusty winds subsided with favorable weather conditions expected through the weekend.
The Mountain Fire in Ventura County held at 32 square miles (about 83 square kilometers) and was 17% contained, Fire Operations Section Chief Clint Swensen said. The fire broke out Wednesday and exploded in size amid the arrival of dry, warm and gusty northeast winds, forcing thousands of residents to flee and threatening 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around the community of Camarillo.
Red flag warnings indicating conditions for high fire danger expired in most of the region Thursday. Smoky air hung over the area Saturday because of fairly light winds ranging between five and 10 mph (eight and 16 kph), the very conditions that were aiding firefighters, said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
“It’s very favorable for the weekend,” Kittell said. “Good for firefighting efforts but not great for air quality.”
Some forecasts showed winds returning to the area Tuesday but not to the extent seen last week, Kittell 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 less than half a square mile (about 1.2 square kilometers) to more than 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) in little more than five hours on Wednesday, with gusts topping 61 mph (98 kph).
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County.
veryGood! (549)
Related
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- Prince fans can party overnight like it’s 1999 with Airbnb rental of ‘Purple Rain’ house
- Proof Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Son Rocky Is Embracing Spooky Season Before Halloween
- How Lady Gaga Really Feels About Her Accidental Engagement Reveal at the Olympics
- Demure? Brain rot? Oxford announces shortlist for 2024 Word of the Year: Cast your vote
- Minnesota reports rare human death from rabies
- Woman loses over 700 pounds of bologna after Texas border inspection
- George Clooney and Amal Clooney Reveal What Their Kids Think of Their Fame
- Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly are expecting their first child together
- Kendra Wilkinson Shares Rare Update on Her Kids Hank and Alijah
Ranking
- Ready-to-eat meat, poultry recalled over listeria risk: See list of affected products
- 2024 Presidents Cup Round 2: Results, matchups, tee times from Friday's golf foursomes
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs impregnated victim, Yung Miami encouraged abortion, lawsuit alleges
- Apalachee football team plays first game since losing coach in deadly school shooting
- Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise
- Abortion-rights groups are courting Latino voters in Arizona and Florida
- Dakota Johnson's Underwear Story Involving Barack Obama Will Turn You Fifty Shades of Red
- What time is Alycia Baumgardner vs. Delfine Persoon fight? Walk-in time for main event
Recommendation
-
'Dangerous and unsanitary' conditions at Georgia jail violate Constitution, feds say
-
The final 3 anti-abortion activists have been sentenced in a Tennessee clinic blockade
-
Daughter finds ‘earth angel’ in woman who made her dad laugh before Colorado supermarket shooting
-
'Dangerous rescue' saves dozens stranded on hospital roof amid Helene deluge
-
Repair Hair Damage In Just 90 Seconds With This Hack from WNBA Star Kamilla Cardoso
-
Minnesota reports rare human death from rabies
-
Georgia-Alabama leads Top 25 matchups leading seven college football games to watch in Week 5
-
Fossil Fuel Presence at Climate Week NYC Spotlights Dissonance in Clean Energy Transition