The start of the Maria fire was captured by a camera that's part of a program that helps investigators determine the origins of and track fires.
From Castro Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, the sun is beginning to set when a small bright light emerges far in the distance. The tiny speck, barely noticeable, marks the beginning of another massive California wildfire.
Within seconds — fanned by strong Santa Ana winds — the fire explodes, sending up massive flames and a plume of dark smoke that quickly blanketed small the agricultural towns just south of Santa Paula.in Ventura County was captured by a camera from the ALERT Wildfire program, an effort by three universities — UC San Diego, the University of Nevada and the University of Oregon — to help firefighters investigate the origins of fires and their behavior.
The camera, mounted atop the peak of the Santa Monica Mountains, recorded the fire’s first moments after it broke out on South Mountain about 6:16 p.m. Thursday and quickly began burning toward Somis and Saticoy, forcing more than 1,000 residents to flee.
By 7 a.m. Friday, the Maria fire had grown to 8,730 acres and had already burned two structures, including a home. At the tail end of a , firefighters have struggled to gain control of the blaze, which remained 0% contained nearly 18 hours after it ignited.Though strong winds have complicated the fight, the blaze broke out high on the ridge so it gave authorities time to conduct evacuations before the flames moved down the mountain and into residential areas, said Ventura Assistant Fire Chief John McNeil.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Maria Fire: Ventura County Blaze Near Santa Paula Is At 750 Acres, Zero ContainmentA new wildfire has broken out just south of Santa Paula, with evacuations ordered for nearby residents. So far, 750 acres are burning, according to the Ventura County Fire Department, and the blaze…
Read more »
"Envejeciendo" by Maria Usbeck Is Gracefully Disorienting'There’s a vaguely disorienting feeling across the album’s eight songs, but rest assured, Envejeciendo does it gracefully.'
Read more »
California wildfires live updates: New Maria Fire explodes to 8,000 acres overnightA new wildfire exploded in Southern California overnight, closing schools and forcing over 7,000 residents to evacuate.
Read more »
Maria fire: Evacuation orders, shelters, school and road closuresThe brush fire in Ventura County has quickly grown to 7,400 acres, threatening areas south of Santa Paula.
Read more »
Maria fire charges toward Santa Paula neighborhoods, forcing additional evacuationsThe Maria fire erupted Thursday evening atop South Mountain and changed direction Friday morning, sending flames up toward Santa Paula and burning structures.
Read more »