Firefighters Gain Ground on Ventura Fire
Firefighters made significant progress Monday battling a massive wildfire near Ventura, California. The blaze has scorched over 32 square miles north of Los Angeles. It has destroyed or severely damaged nearly 250 homes, businesses, and structures while continuing to smolder and spread through rugged terrain.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported 42% containment of the fire as of Monday. However, it still threatens infrastructure, highways, and nearby communities. Since Thursday, the fire’s size has remained steady at approximately 20,630 acres (around 8,350 hectares).
Favorable weather helped firefighters build control lines, but winds could increase Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service warned of winds reaching 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. These speeds are lower than the 80 mph winds that initially fueled the fire’s spread last week.
The fire, which started Wednesday, is still under investigation. Six injuries have been reported. Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner praised firefighters’ efforts at a Sunday night public meeting, calling them “heroic.”
“I’m grateful for the lives saved and the absence of fatalities,” Gardner said, earning applause. “We’ve suffered significant losses, but we saved thousands of homes and hundreds of lives.”
Evacuation Orders Begin to Lift
Gardner highlighted that first responders worked 30 hours straight at the fire’s onset. More than 1,000 firefighters were on the front lines within 24 hours. By Monday, over 2,800 firefighters from across the region were actively battling the fire.
Some evacuation orders remain, but Gardner confirmed that some residents have been allowed to return home. “Mistakes were made, but we’ll learn from them,” Gardner said. “We will rebuild, recover, and heal.”
Farmers Hit Hard by Fire Damage
The fire has caused $2.4 million in agricultural damage, a number expected to rise. Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Korinne Bell reported that avocado, citrus, and berry crops were among the hardest hit. The fire’s spread damaged not only crops but also fences, irrigation systems, and farm buildings.
Some farmers lost their homes, according to Ventura County Farm Bureau CEO Maureen McGuire. “Many farmers were in their orchards trying to protect their operations and buildings,” McGuire said.
Northeast Drought Fuels Wildfire Risk
Persistent Fire Danger in the Northeast
Despite light rain in parts of the Northeast, ongoing drought conditions continue to fuel wildfire risks. Areas received 0.15 to 0.30 inches of rain Sunday night into Monday, the first measurable rainfall in over a month. However, the National Weather Service warns fire risks remain high through Tuesday.
The weather service reported dry conditions would persist, with a slight chance of rain on Thursday night. Warm temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds are expected to maintain elevated fire risks across the region. New Jersey’s fire danger dashboard had recently placed the entire state under an extreme fire risk warning.
Wildfires Burn in New Jersey and New York
Wildfires continue to burn in northern New Jersey and New York. Over the weekend, New York State Police confirmed the first wildfire-related fatality. An 18-year-old state parks employee, Dariel Vasquez, died while helping fight a fire in Sterling Forest when a tree fell on him as he cleared brush.
The Jennings Creek Wildfire had grown to 3,500 acres and was 20% contained by Monday evening, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. New York Governor Kathy Hochul reported that no buildings or infrastructure were at risk. A total of 277 personnel were working to contain the blaze.
Warwick, N.Y., Supervisor Jesse Dwyer said no mandatory evacuations were in place. “The rain helped slow the fire, but it wasn’t enough,” Dwyer said in a Facebook post. “Please continue to pray for our responders and residents of affected areas.”
Climate Change’s Role in Rising Wildfire Risks
Climate change is contributing to increased wildfire risks, according to experts. This year, 2024, is on track to become the hottest year on record. Samantha Burgess, deputy director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, noted that global temperatures are expected to be at least 2.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
“This milestone should raise ambition at the upcoming COP29 climate conference,” Burgess said. The conference begins Monday in Azerbaijan. The previous hottest year was 2023, but 2024 is likely to surpass it.