Written by Brendan O’Brien and Rich McKay

A persistent wildfire in the northwest of Los Angeles has unsettled thousands of Californians, causing them to evacuate their homes. The blaze, which has destroyed over 100 structures, continued to pose challenges for firefighting crews on Friday, despite a drop in the ferocious winds in the region.

The Mountain Fire, as it has been named, has ravaged roughly 20,000 acres in Ventura County without significant containment progress. According to Cal Fire’s latest update, containment now stands at a mere 7%, up from 5% the previous day.

Cal Fire highlighted that the rugged, steep terrain, coupled with dry and receptive fuels, have complicated containment efforts. However, the agency noted that a decrease in winds had led to a moderation in fire activity. Despite this, the agency warned that the fire still posed a threat to critical infrastructure and that pockets of unburnt fuel would continue to burn within the fire’s reach.

Among the numerous individuals who have lost their homes is Ventura County resident, Dennis Gottlieb. He considers himself fortunate to be alive but is unsure of his next steps. The only possession he managed to salvage was his truck.

The wildfire conditions prompted a red flag warning for the area, set to remain in place until winds decrease to less than 15 miles per hour. The National Weather Service also anticipates a rise in humidity.

On Thursday, an evacuation order was issued for over 10,000 people residing near Camarillo, situated about 45 miles down the Pacific Coast from Santa Barbara. Following the evacuation, some homes were set ablaze by embers carried by the gusting winds, which reached speeds of up to 80 mph.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the fire resulted in the loss of more than 130 structures. Residents were left in shock and disbelief as they returned to the charred remains of their homes.

Climate scientists point to warming temperatures as a significant factor in the prevalence of these wildfires. Wet winters have allowed for the growth of coastal chaparral in California, which in turn has become prime fuel for wildfires due to record-high summer temperatures.

This year, the US has experienced an intense wildfire season, with approximately 8.1 million acres burned so far. This is significantly more than the annual average of 7 million acres over the past decade, as per data from the National Interagency Fire Center.

In comparison to the same period last year, wildfires in California have consumed over three times more land, according to Cal Fire data. This escalating trend is alarming and highlights the urgent need for effective fire management strategies and increased awareness of climate change.