Mountain Fire in Ventura County - Updates and Recovery Information

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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.)

Ventura County Community Foundation Accepting Emergency Donations for Mountain Fire

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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.

On Nov. 6, a wildfire broke outside of Moorpark following Santa Ana winds reaching 40 to 80 miles per hour. The fire has grown to 20,596 acres as of Nov. 8 according to VC Emergency, with 7% containment. VCCF has previously stewarded millions of dollars in donations for the Thomas, Hill, and Woolsey Fires, ensuring the funds had the most impact and supported those most affected. VCCF continues to monitor the status of the Mountain Fire, working with its nonprofit and government partners to best respond to the county’s needs.

"Through the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, our community has a vital lifeline for those impacted by the wildfire,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, CEO of Ventura County. “This fund stands as a testament to our county's unwavering commitment to provide swift and direct support to individuals and nonprofit organizations on the front lines of relief efforts. Ventura County is both compassionate and resilient, always ready to stand together and support one another in times of need.”

VCCF encourages all community members to stay informed and make safe decisions in the face of this emergency. Information on evacuation zones and shelters can be accessed at vcemergency.com or by calling (805) 465-6650.

“Ventura County has faced devastating wildfires over the years, but the resilience and generosity of our community is stronger,” said VCCF Board Member Leah Lacayo. “We are so grateful to the County of Ventura and our first responders for their heroic efforts to keep our community safe. Your community foundation is here to help, especially during times of disaster, and has set up this fund to support relief and recovery efforts.”

About VCCF

Established in 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation has focused on building philanthropy in our region by stewarding legacies through careful management of the charitable capital entrusted to us. We are committed to a long-term perspective for Ventura County. We honor donor intent by protecting endowments forever and we specialize in connecting philanthropic resources with community needs for the benefit of all. We invest in the future through scholarships, grant making and collaborative partnerships. vccf.org

California Assembly Bill 413 "Daylighting Law" Became Effective January 1, 2024

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Effective January 1, 2025, California Assembly Bill 413 allows for violators of the Daylighting Law to be cited.

The Moorpark Police Department would like to inform residents of California’s new law, Assembly Bill 413, known as the “California Daylighting Law.” This bill amends Section 22500 of the California Vehicle Code by adding a new section to the law which prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension.

The law took effect on January 1, 2024, allowing authorities to issue warnings if the law is violated, unless the curb has already been painted red or a sign erected that prohibits parking. Effective January 1, 2025, the law allows for violators to be issued a citation for violating the Daylighting Law.

This law was written to address incidents where pedestrians were struck and seriously injured or killed while crossing the street. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, California’s pedestrian fatality rate was 25% higher than the national average. Pedestrian fatalities increased from 1,013 in 2020 to 1,108 in 2021. There are 43 other states that have implemented similar laws that have resulted in successfully reducing traffic collisions involving pedestrians. The city of Hoboken, New Jersey has a similar law and has reported zero traffic fatalities involving pedestrians over the last seven years.

The Moorpark Police Department is aware that street parking in local neighborhoods can be difficult, and parking is limited. In an effort to increase compliance and awareness, the Moorpark Police Department will be conducting public outreach to inform residents of the new law.

Living in such a beautiful county affords us the opportunity to go for walks, hikes, and bike rides. The Moorpark Police Department wants to make sure everyone is safe while enjoying the outdoors. This law is one component of many that can help reduce pedestrian related traffic collisions. Here are some additional safety tips for pedestrians:

  •     Cross streets only at crosswalks, where drivers expect pedestrians to cross.

  •     Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, avoid walking in the street or bike lane.

  •     Always look both ways before crossing a street.

  •     Carry a flashlight when walking at night.

  •     Wear bright reflective clothing when walking at night or in low light conditions.

  •     When attempting to cross the street, make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you.

Compilation of Eateries "Coming Soon" to the Conejo Valley as of Mid-July 2022

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The corner where Mimi’s Cafe used to reside and that, sometime in 2023, Amy’s Drive-Thru will be serving organic, vegetarian and vegan fast food.

We’re asked all the time when a particular new eatery will be opening, to which we usually reply “coming soon” is all we know. There’s so many places that are “coming soon” today that why don’t we just list them out here. Contact us with any additions or updates to this list.

Conejo Valley

Zankou Chicken still “coming soon” on Moorpark Road in the former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

The drive-thru Starbucks to be built at the corner of Moorpark Road and Avenida De Las Flores in Thousand Oaks is certain to be a destination for Thousand Oaks High School students across the street.

Ventura County Library Welcomes the Public Back Into Buildings

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Since April 7, 2021, the Ventura County Library System libraries, including libraries in the cities of Ojai, Ventura, Port Hueneme, and Fillmore, have welcomed the public back for limited indoor services including browsing and checkout of collections and computer use. Customers have up to 50 minutes per day to conduct activities in the library.

Since summer of 2020, customers have also been able to place holds for library materials online and pick them up when ready just outside the front doors of the libraries. Throughout the pandemic, the library system has worked closely with public health officials and within state guidelines for libraries to provide safe library services and programs.

The safety of customers and staff remain the first priority and customers may notice enhanced safety measures when they come back to the library, such as plexiglass barriers at service desks, availability of hand sanitizer, and socially distanced computer workstations. The library has covered additional costs throughout the pandemic associated with paying janitorial crews for more often and extra deep cleaning measures and upgraded filters on HVAC systems. The library continues to provide numerous online programs and resources, but also has plans to implement some in-person programs again as early as this summer. When the state reopens, public seating and tables will be made available again for study and reading, and time limits for library use per day eliminated.

At the Ventura County Library System, 42% of library employees were redeployed over the course of the pandemic to serve as Disaster Services Workers for other county agencies, performing tasks such as delivering meals to seniors, contact tracing and working at vaccination clinics. During the pandemic, several customer service modifications were made, some of which the library is planning to continue after the pandemic because they were so successful, such as offering live online tutoring for students in both English and Spanish, chat reference services, virtual STEAM and Storytime programs, and enhanced ebook collections. For a seven-month period in the past year, over 2,000 students received live tutoring online through the library. Over 25,000 people received virtual library cards online to access ebooks and databases, including many students accessing these resources for schoolwork. And from July 2020 to April 2021 an average of 15,600 items were checked out from the libraries per month. Ebook usage increased 75% over the past year, and eaudiobook usage increased 25%. From March 2020 to April 2021, staff produced 621 live Storytime programs on Facebook which had 70,044 unique views. In partnership with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, the Mobile Library delivered Face Mask Kits, containing face masks for children and adults, hand sanitizer and information for older family members, to some of the hardest hit areas of the county. In September 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved the library to go permanently fine free for overdue library materials, meaning there are no overdue fines that could prevent people from using the library. This positive change removes barriers to library services for some of the most vulnerable populations who need library services the most.

The Ventura County Library continues to partner with other agencies and non-profits to share resources and implement impactful programs designed specifically to meet the needs of people in Ventura County. Acknowledging that basic needs must be met before people can participate in lifelong learning and education, many of these partnerships focus on addressing the mental and physical well-being of community members in addition to providing library and literacy services. Other partnerships address the need for access to technology and digital literacy. For example, the library will soon implement Parent and Child Together classes in collaboration with First 5 of Ventura County to address the social and emotional needs of children and their parents and develop early literacy skills; and, a program to provide technology and workforce training through the Mobile Library in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County and America’s Job Center of Oxnard. The library is also working with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging to loan computers to seniors across the county to address social isolation and access to health information. And, in summer 2021 the Avenue Library will host the Lunch at the Library program to meet the nutritional needs of children who are out of school for the summer, along with the annual Summer Reading program to address literacy.

To find out more about the Ventura County Library, please visit us online at www.vencolibrary.org.

County of Ventura Poised to Move to Orange Tier on April 7th

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County of Ventura poised to move to State’s Orange Tier Next Week - Declining Cases and Hospitalizations are a Hopeful Sign; Progress on Vaccinations Continues Despite Supply Challenges

The State of California announced today that the County of Ventura has met requirements for the State’s Orange Tier for the first week of the two-week required time frame. If the County meets the Orange Tier requirements at the next review on April 6, the County will be able to move to Orange on April 7. As with the shift to the Red Tier, the County will continue to align with the State’s framework for Orange Tier activities.

All activities authorized under the State’s Orange Tier can resume in accordance with State capacity limits and safety protocols, including:

  • Amusement parks: smaller parks can open outdoors with 25% max occupancy or 500 people, whichever is fewer; there must be reservations or advanced ticket sales and only local attendees are allowed (from the same county as the park’s location)

  • Bars (where no meal is served): open outdoors with modifications

  • Cardrooms and satellite wagering: open indoors with 25% max occupancy

  • Family entertainment centers: open indoors for naturally distanced activities like bowling alleys and escape rooms; kart racing, mini golf and batting cages are outdoors only with modifications

  • Fitness centers and gyms: open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy

  • Hotels and lodging: fitness centers can now open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy

  • Movie theaters: open indoors with 50% max occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer

  • Museums, zoos, and aquariums: open indoors with 50% max occupancy

  • Offices: open indoors with modifications though telework is still encouraged

  • Outdoor live events: open at 20% capacity; reservations required with assigned seating only; regional attendees only (120-mile radius of venue).

  • Retail (including standalone grocers): open indoors at full capacity with modifications

  • Restaurants open indoors with 50% max occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer; only members of same household may share a table

  • Shopping centers (including swap meets and indoor malls): open indoors at full capacity with modifications; common areas must remain closed and food courts are at reduced capacity

  • Wineries, breweries and distilleries: open indoors with 25% max occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer; only members of same household may share a table

  • Youth sports: competitions between two teams are allowed in certain sports according to the State’s Youth Sports Guidance

The State has also issued new guidance for the following activities:

  • Outdoor live audience events including ballparks and stadiums

  • Guidance for commencement and graduation ceremonies

After reaching the Orange Tier the County would need to remain in the Orange Tier for 3-consecutive weeks to be able to progress to the less restrictive Yellow Tier.

For more information on what the State allows in the Orange Tier, please visit covid19.ca.gov.

Ventura County Moves to the Red Tier Beginning Wednesday, March 17th

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According to the County of Ventura, the County will move to the State’s Red Tier beginning 12:01 am Wednesday, March 17, 2021.

The State’s Blueprint tracks three metrics: the seven-day adjusted case rate, the seven-day testing
positivity rate and the health equity metric. Ventura County’s case rate is 6.5, testing positivity is 2.8%
(orange tier) and health equity testing positivity is 5.0% (orange).

Moving from the purple tier into the red tier for the County means:
• Restaurants can open indoors with 25 percent capacity or a maximum of 100 people, whichever
is fewer. The 11 pm closure requirement is lifted. The single household dining limitation is lifted.
State gathering guidance limits gatherings to 3 households or less.
• Retail establishments can open indoors at 50 percent capacity.
• Indoor shopping malls can increase capacity to 50 percent with common areas remaining closed;
food courts can open at 25 percent capacity adhering to the restaurant guidance for indoor
dining.
• Movie theaters can open indoors with 25 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.
• Gyms, fitness centers, yoga and dance studios can open indoors with 10 percent capacity with
6-ft social distancing instead of the previous requirement of 12 ft.
• Museums, zoos, and aquariums can open indoor activities at 25 percent capacity.

• Breweries, wineries and distilleries that do not serve meals can open outdoors only with
modifications. The modifications include ensuring that patrons have reservations and patrons
observe a 90-minute time limit. Service for on-site consumption must end by 8:00 p.m.
• Bars that do not serve meals remain closed in the Purple and Red tiers.
• Private gatherings can occur both outdoors and indoors with up to 3 separate households.
• Schools are permitted to re-open for in-person instruction adhering to all state and county
directives. This includes grades 7-12. Grades kindergarten - 6 already had the option of opening.
• Family entertainment centers (kart racing, mini-golf, batting cages) can open outdoors with
modifications.
• Personal care services can continue to operate indoors following state guidance.

Additional updated guidance:
• Golf carts do not need a partition between members of different households. They are
recommended but not required.
• Local HOA pool guidance has been lifted. HOA pools are encouraged to follow suggested County
guidance. Public or community pools continue to follow state issued guidance.
• 2 swimmers per lane are permitted in a public outdoor swimming pool.
• Wind instruments are allowed outdoors with bell covers and 6 feet distance between
instruments. There must be 20 feet distance at a minimum between the instruments and the
audience.

For more information please visit www.venturacountyrecovers.org or by calling the COVID Business
Compliance line at 805-202-1805.

Ventura County Poised to Move Back Into COVID-19 Red Tier on Wednesday, March 17th

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According to the County of Ventura, there is a distinct possibility that the County will be moving from the Purple Tier that we’ve been in since November 18, 2020 to the less restrictive Red Tier. Here are the details from the County:

The state has announced that once 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are administered in the most vulnerable communities in the state that the state will modify the case rate requirements. The state reached 2 million doses were achieved on March 12th. As a result, Ventura County may achieve the Red Tier on Wednesday, the 17th.

Here's what can be open once the County is in the Red Tier:

  • Hair salons: open indoors with modifications

  • Retail: open indoors at 50% capacity

  • Malls: open indoors at 50% capacity and limited food courts

  • Places of worship: open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer

  • Nail salons: open indoors with modifications

  • Electrolysis: open indoors with modifications

  • Personal care services (body waxing, etc.): open indoor with modifications

  • Tattooing and piercing: open indoors with modifications

  • Museums, zoos and aquariums: open indoors at 25% capacity

  • Movie theaters: open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer

  • Hotels: open with modifications, plus fitness centers can open at 10% capacity

  • Gyms: open indoors at 10% capacity 6 feet social distancing

  • Restaurants: open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer

  • Wineries, breweries and distilleries: outdoor only until 8 pm

  • Bars: closed

  • Family entertainment centers: outdoor only, like mini golf, batting cages and go-kart racing

  • Non-essential offices: remote work only

  • Professional sports: outdoor only at 20% capacity starting April 1

  • Schools: can reopen for in-person instruction after five days out of the purple tier

  • Theme parks: can reopen at 15% capacity starting April 1

  • Live performances: outdoor only at 20% capacity starting April 1

Once 2 million vaccine doses have been administered, a new set of metrics will be used for determining tier placement:

  • Widespread (purple): Counties with more than 10 daily new cases per 100,000 residents

  • Substantial (red): 4 to 10 daily new cases per 100,000 residents

  • Moderate (orange): 1 to 3.9 daily new cases per 100,000

  • Minimal (yellow): Less than 1 daily new case per 100,000

The County of Ventura has a current case rate of 9.1, which means the County will meet the new state metrics and be in the Red Tier by March 17.

Covid is still spreading in Ventura County. Continue wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands frequently, staying home when sick and not gathering to help slow the spread.

More info about the state's tiers at: covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.

On a related note, the County of Los Angeles moves to the Red Tier effective Monday, March 15th.