Firefighters are hoping to take advantage of an early morning break in the winds Thursday as they continue to battle the Mountain Fire burning in Ventura County that has already scorched thousands of acres and destroyed dozens of homes.
The massive wildfire broke out just before 9 a.m. Wednesday near Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road, north of the 118 Freeway. Initially reported as a 50-acre fire fueled by brush and Santa Ana winds, the Mountain Fire had jumped the freeway and exploded to over 14,000 acres by Wednesday night with zero containment.
Video showed multiple homes burning as the fire raged Wednesday afternoon. The exact number of homes destroyed was unknown as officials say it is still too dangerous to survey the area.
The Mountain Fire is seen from Sky5 during the early morning hours on Nov. 7, 2024. (KTLA) 
A house is engulfed in the flames of the Mountain Fire as the wildfire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) 
KTLA 5 News reporter Sara Welch reports from Camarillo Heights as a home goes up in flames on live television. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of homes destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) A firefighter pulls a hose in front of a burnt house as the Mountain Fire scorches acres in Camarillo Heights, Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024.(Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) Sky5 aerial view of homes destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of homes destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of a brush fire in Somis, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of a brush fire in Somis, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of a brush fire in Somis, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of home ablaze from the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Residents evacuate horses from the path of the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) 
Deputies rescue wheelchair-bound residents from a home surrounded by flames during the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, Oct. 30, 2024. (Key News Network) Sky5 aerial view of home ablaze from the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 aerial view of homes destroyed in the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California on Nov. 6, 2024. (KTLA)
Fire officials said thousands of homes in Moorpark, Camarillo, Camarillo Heights and Santa Paula remained threatened Thursday morning.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Somis and Camarillo areas forcing more than 10,000 people to flee their homes.
“It’s surreal. Just going from a crazy election to this all in 24 hours is just nuts,” resident Larry Oliver said.
An evacuation center was established at Padre Serra Parish, 5205 Upland Ave., in Camarillo. Large animals could be brought to the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E. Harbor Blvd. Smaller animals can be taken to Ventura County Animal Services at the Camarillo Airport, 600 Aviation Drive. For more information on evacuations, visit vcemergency.com or call 805-465-6650.