Mountain Fire in Ventura County - Updates and Recovery Information

Smoke from the Mountain Fire seen from Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

The Mountain Fire was first reported at just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6th, near Somis, in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Due to the extremely high Santa Ana winds, it quickly jumped across Highway 118 towards Camarillo and as of Thursday night grew to 20,484 acres burned at 5% containment. The fire has destroyed at least 132 structures and damaged another 88 structures as of Thursday evening. Visit vcemergency.com for details regarding evacuation orders, emergency shelters, road closures, and more. Information hotline is 805-465-6650. Or call 2-1-1 for assistance.

Fire Updates

• As of 8:50 a.m. Saturday, November 9th, the fire is at 20,630 acres with 17% containment.

• As the night of Monday, November 11th, fire at 42% contained. Out of 894 inspections to date, 82 structures damaged and 192 destroyed.

• As of 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, fire is 54% contained at 20,630 acres. 90 structures damaged, 207 destroyed.

• As of the morning of Thursday, November 14, acreage unchanged, 82% contained, 25 structures damaged, 240 structures destroyed.

Recovery Efforts

The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, has established an emergency fund accepting donations to support community members and local nonprofit organizations most affected by the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund is open for giving at vccf.org/donate, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations that provide essential aid to those most affected in times of crisis. One hundred percent of contributions go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.

If you were impacted by the fire, the Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VC VOAD) asks that you complete a needs assessment at https://icfs.communityos.org/gethelpventuracounty to get help.

Ventura County Recovers website covers recovery information at www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Fox Fine Jewelry is offering a free diamond necklace to anyone whose home was damaged or destroyed by the Mountain Fire. Necklaces also available for sale, with 50% of proceeds donated to the VC Community Foundation. www.foxfinejewelry.com/pages/mountain-fire-free-necklace

Individual GoFundMe Pages

If you are seeking to donate directly to individuals impacted by the Mountain Fire, there are over 50 GoFundMe fundraisers established over the last 7 days (as of November 9th) at https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=%22mountain+fire%22&time-period=7 (NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT VETTED EACH FUNDRAISER. USE YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE.)

2024 Summer Beach Buses in Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark

The City of Agoura Hills Summer Beach Bus is back for 2024. Runs June 17 to August 16 (except July 4) Monday through Friday from three designated locations to/from Zuma Beach. Service is $2 each way. Exact change required. Open to anyone (not just Agoura Hills residents). www.agourahillscity.org/department/community-services-parks-recreation/beach-bus.

The City of Thousand Oaks is offering Summer Beach Bus Service in 2024 from June 17 to August 10 (except July 4) to Zuma Beach and Ventura Harbor Beach (new this year). Two round trips will be available daily Monday through Friday. to Zuma and Saturday to Ventura Cove Beach. The fare is $4.00 round trip ($1.00 for seniors ages 65+ and persons with disabilities) cash only and is collected in person at the time of boarding. Students from kindergarten through college can ride the Beach Bus for free.

The City of Moorpark is offering round trip bus service to/from Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura this year on Wednesdays through Fridays, June 19 to August 16. $5 round trip for adults/students. $2 for seniors. Must have exact change. Free for ages 5 and under (accompanied by fare paying passenger age 16+). See www.moorparkca.gov/821/Beach-Bus

2024 City of Moorpark Summer Beach Bus Service June 19 to August 16

The City of Moorpark has announced limited beach bus service to Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura for summer 2024 on Wednesdays through Fridays, June 19 through August 16. Bus leaves from designated stops in Moorpark. Service is $5 round trip for adults; $2 for 65+ seniors and ADA certified individuals. Children ages 5 and younger ride free when accompanied by a paid passenger age 16+. www.moorparkca.gov/821/Beach-Bus

California Bun in Moorpark Announces December 18 Soft Opening Date

California Bun announced today that its "soft opening" in the Tuscany Square at 144 Los Angeles Ave, Unit 105 in Moorpark is December 18th. Their menu features an assortment of 15 breakfast, lunch and dinner buns made fresh daily, such as Steak Sunrise, Farm Boy, Veggie Voom, BBQ With Seoul and Chorizo Con Huevo, as well as dessert buns. Learn more at californiabun.com.. They are also accepting pre-soft opening pre-orders from a limited menu starting tomorrow, Friday, December 8th at 3pm for pickup on the 13th and 16th. Supplies will be limited. Follow their IG page @getcaliforniabun for details.

Lucky Strike Moorpark Bowling to Open on Friday, December 8th

Lucky Strike will be opening its new, 40 lane bowling center in the former Dick’s Sporting Goods at 706 E. Los Angeles Ave, Moorpark on Friday, December 8th. The facility will also include a large bar area, food and arcade. More information at luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-moorpark or call 805-222-3757.

California Bun Coming This Summer to Tuscany Square in Moorpark (Update: Soft Opening December 18th)

UPDATE: Summer is long gone but California Bun has indicated its soft opening date is December 18th. Follow their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/getcaliforniabun for details.

California Bun is opening this summer in the Tuscany Square at 144 Los Angeles Ave, Unit 105 in Moorpark. Their menu features a bunmazing assortment of 15 breakfast, lunch and dinner buns made fresh daily, such as Egg & Cheesy, BBQ with Seoul, Southern BBQ as well as dessert buns. Learn more at californiabun.com..

Magma Modern Italian Pizzeria Opened in the Moorpark Marketplace Earlier This Month

Michael R sent over this photo of the new Magma Modern Italian Pizzeria that recently opened in the former home of Brick Oven Pizza in the Moorpark Marketplace, 888 New Los Angeles Avenue in neighboring Moorpark. They are offering 20% off for dine in and takeout only right now as part of their soft opening during the month of February. See their menu at www.pizzeriamagma.restaurant/menu.

Bowlero Looks to Develop a Bowling Alley at the Former Dick's Sporting Goods in Moorpark (OPENED ON 12/8/23)

UPDATE: Lucky Strike Moorpark opened on December 8, 2023.

The City of Moorpark received an application for a Conditional Use Permit from Bowlero in July to develop a bowling alley at the former Dick's Sporting Goods, 706 Los Angeles Avenue (near the Amazon Fresh store). The application is currently undergoing review by the city and its planning commission.

If approved, the project would still need to go through environmental analysis, a public hearing and final approval. Bowlero is the largest bowling alley operator in the world, with 300 centers, including local locations at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard and in Woodland Hills.

www.moorparkca.gov/1113/Bowlero

Local area bowling alleys in Ventura County and nearby areas at THIS LINK.