Currently, 740 parcels with a combined reconstruction cost value of $600M are at risk of damage.
The Mountain Fire, which started on Nov. 6, continues to burn in Ventura County, California. As of Thursday, Nov. 14, CalFire reported that the wildfire was 82% contained but had reached a size of 20,630 acres. The agency reported that the fires destroyed 240 structures and damaged another 125, many of which were residential properties.
By the evening of Nov. 8, the Mountain Fire had already rapidly spread over the course of 48 hours. Several factors contributed to the fire’s rapid spread over steep and rugged terrain, including the steep and rugged terrain and the presence of dry, receptive fuels prone to ignition. Extreme offshore winds combined with low humidity also significantly accelerated the fire’s expansion. The fire continues to pose a serious threat, and authorities lifted red flag warnings for Particularly Dangerous Situations (PDS) although gusty Santa Ana winds subsided.
Property Impacts to At-Risk Homes
The Mountain Fire perimeter has spread throughout the California mountains north of the cities of Camarillo and Somis. There are also several fingers on the southern side of the fire and an island of burned area south of California State Route 118.
Several residential communities live within the current fire perimeter. Figure 1 below shows the entire wildfire perimeter (red) as well as closer views of neighborhoods on the southeastern edge of the larger (bottom left) and the smaller (bottom right) fire outbreaks. The purple parcels are residential structures and the light green parcels are classified as residential, but currently vacant.
CoreLogic Hazard HQ Command Central™ overlaid the wildfire perimeter on its parcel-level property database to determine that there are 740 parcels, many of which are residential, with a combined reconstruction cost value (RCV) of $600M at risk to wildfire damage in Ventura County, CA.
It is important to note that not all properties within the fire perimeter will sustain damage. Also, a structure that was damaged may not have sustained 100% loss up to the full reconstruction value.
Apart from fire damage, smoke and ash from the fire might have damaged contents of properties outside the fire perimeter. The number of damaged properties will be a subset of the total. The RCV figures presented above represent the cost of completely rebuilding the existing structure. The RCV amount includes the costs of materials, equipment, and labor, but does not include the value of the land or lot.
How Will the Mountain Fire Continue to Evolve?
A shift in wind patterns has provided some relief for firefighting efforts. Initially, strong gusty offshore winds from the northeast contributed to the fire’s rapid spread. However, these winds have now shifted to weak onshore winds, which firefighters expect to reduce the fire’s spread and aid suppression efforts.
Reduced Santa Ana winds and increased onshore winds over Ventura County, coupled with a humid marine layer, have slowed the fire’s eastward and southward progression, thereby lessening the risk to properties.
There was a possibility that northerly offshore winds could return to Southern California by Wednesday, Nov. 13, potentially reactivating the fire within its perimeter. But the CalFire report indicated those winds did not materialize.
Historically, Ventura County has experienced significant wildfires, adding to the area’s heightened vulnerability. Fire crews remain vigilant and continue to work tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect affected communities.
Contact: Please email [email protected] with questions about the Mountain Fire or any CoreLogic event response notifications. Please visit www.hazardhq.com for updates and information on catastrophes across the globe.
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