CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — Southern California firefighters gained ground Friday against a wildfire that has destroyed at least 132 structures, mostly houses, as favorable conditions were expected to continue through the weekend after two days of dangerous gusty winds. Forecasters expect light winds over the weekend that will continue to aid firefighters.
Meteorologists are monitoring a weather system that could hit Southern California next week but it is not expected to bring another round of extreme winds like earlier this week. Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff said Friday that 3,500 houses have been repopulated, but residents of 2,000 homes still have not been able to go back. Maryanne Belote was among those who returned Friday to sift through the charred remains of their properties.
She went home to her hillside neighborhood in Camarillo, a city northwest of Los Angeles, after making a harrowing escape with her cat, her dog and her horses as the blaze raged in the area. The only thing standing was a rock wall she built. “If I hadn’t gotten the horses, I would have been devastated, but I have my family and I have my animals so, I’m OK.
I will rebuild,” she said standing outside the remains of her home of 50 years while her dog stayed in her car. The Mountain Fire started Wednesday morning in Ventura County and had grown to 32 square miles (about 83 square kilometers). It was 14% contained Friday evening.
“We had no external or lateral movement today,” Ventu.