Favorable weather conditions aided firefighters in gaining control over the Mountain Fire, increasing containment from 21% to 31%. This improvement is crucial as inspection teams assess the extensive damage already done.
Crews faced significant challenges at the fire's peak due to powerful Santa Ana winds, which reached gusts over 61 mph. The fire's rapid expansion from less than half a square mile to over 16 square miles in just five hours demonstrates the urgency of the situation.
Despite improvements in containment and reduced wind conditions, threats to critical infrastructure and communities remain substantial. The potential for a new round of northeast winds poses ongoing risks as authorities continue to monitor the fire's behavior.
Agricultural damage estimates have reached $2.4 million, highlighting the fire's impact not just on residential areas but also on local economies reliant on avocado, citrus, and berry farming.
Collection
[
|
...
]