Fire officials describe harrowing conditions as Southern California wildfire exploded
Associated PressLOS ANGELES — Fire authorities on Sunday described battling fierce, howling winds and rescuing people in a fast-moving Southern California wildfire that forced thousands of people to flee and destroyed at least 168 structures and damaged 67. “I am grateful for the number of lives that were saved and the fact that we have zero reported fatalities,” said an emotional Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner at a community meeting Sunday night. A firefighter battling the Mountain Fire watches flames from a firing operation burn off vegetation around Swanhill Farms in Moorpark, Calif., Nov. 7, 2024. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Ventura County public safety officials said they prepared for dry, warm and gusty northeast Santa Ana winds.