VCFD PIO

Ventura County Fire Department is on scene of a working structure fire in the 2700 Block of Denise Street in Newbury Park. Firefighters arrived on scene to find a two-story, single-family residence with heavy fire showing from the garage. Firefighters made an aggressive attacked and quickly knocked down the fire, while also conducting an interior search to ensure all residents had safely evacuated. Over 40 firefighters were dispatched to the incident. There were no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians. Two adults were displaced by the fire, and the cause is under investigation. #firefighter #structurefire #newburypark #venturacounty #firstresponder

Grande Fire AM Update: The Grande Fire is at 31.9 acres with 50% containment. Evacuation orders in the area will be lifted. Crews worked in steep terrain overnight coordinating with our UAS / Drone operators to identify and mop up hotspots. Throughout the day, firefighters will continue mop-up efforts and improve control lines. We thank our area partners at CAL FIRE and Los Angeles County Fire for their rapid response and close coordination during this incident.

Forward progress on the Grande Fire has been stopped at 30 acres. Firefighters will continue to be on scene throughout the night, coordinating with our Infrared UAS aircraft to identify and mop up hot spots and keep the fire from spreading further. This incident demonstrated the important collaboration and strong relationships between VCFD and our partner agencies at LA County Fire and CAL FIRE. When fires like this happen on the boundary of our jurisdiction, all partner agencies work seamlessly together to aggressively fight fire and protect our communities.

VCFD along with LA County Fire and CAL FIRE are on scene of a brush fire south of the 126 FWY, east of Piru. The fire is currently reported at 50 acres with a moderate rate of spread in medium fuels and located in steep terrain with difficult access. Firefighters are aggressively working from the air and ground to attack the fire. Multiple fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are assigned to the incident along with over 100 firefighters assigned to the incident. Evacuation warnings have been issued for areas east of Lake Piru to the Los Angeles County line. Residents are encouraged to follow emergency.venturacounty.gov for the latest updates on evacuations.

Mutual Aid Response: Ventura County firefighters are assisting the Los Angeles County Fire Department with a reported vegetation fire near State Route 126, just east of Ventura County. The fire is estimated at 15 to 20 acres burning in light grass with a moderate rate of spread. Multiple helicopters are making water drops while ground crews work to access the fire. VCFD resources are responding in support of LA County through the mutual aid system. For the latest incident information and updates, please follow @LACOFD and @LACoFDPIO @CountyVentura

This 4th of July, VCFD is teaming up with Ventura County Sheriff to remind everyone that no matter how we say it, the message is the same: “leave fireworks to the professionals”. Celebrate responsibly! Keep your family, neighbors and our community safe by enjoying one of the many fireworks shows throughout Ventura County.

At 12:57 PM today, VCFD and The VC Air Unit along with AMR, VCSO and Santa Paula PD were dispatched to a single engine aircraft down in the river bottom east of the Santa Paula airport. One passenger was reported to be on board the aircraft at the time of the accident. Firefighters made access from the ground and air simultaneously and located the male patient who had self extricated. The patient was hoisted to the VC Air Unit helicopter and flown to the Santa Paula Airport where he was transferred to an ambulance and transported in stable condition with minor injuries to a local hospital. VCFD coordinated with the NTSB and FAA and the scene was turned over to the Ventura County Sheriff. #firefighter #paramedic #aircraftcrash #santapaula #firstresponder

Training Burn Successfully Completed in Fillmore — Today, VCFD firefighters, alongside mutual aid partners from Fillmore Fire, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District, Orange County Fire Authority, and Santa Barbara County Fire Department, successfully completed a live-fire training burn on a 9-acre grass field in Fillmore. The burn provided hands-on training for firefighters participating in a State Ignition Operations course, allowing students to gain practical experience with prescribed fire planning, ignition techniques, drip torch operations, holding operations, and control line construction. In addition to meeting course objectives, the project reduced dry grass fuels near the community ahead of the Fourth of July season, helping improve community safety and wildfire preparedness. Training opportunities like this strengthen regional mutual aid partnerships, build firefighter proficiency, and demonstrate how prescribed fire can be safely used as an effective fuel reduction tool. Thank you to all participating agencies and personnel who helped make today’s training a success. @CountyVentura @LACOFD @LAFD @LACoFDPIO @fillmorefire @CityofFillmore @OCFireAuthority @SBCFireInfo

Today, VCFD and our partners are actively reducing wildfire risk across the county through a variety of fuels management projects designed to protect communities in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).   In Thousand Oaks, specifically the Rancho area by the 101 and 23 freeways, crews and a tracked masticator is reducing hazardous vegetation and creating strategic fuel breaks to help slow the spread of future wildfires.   Near Long Canyon in Simi Valley, targeted goat grazing is being used to naturally reduce invasive grasses and other flashy fuels while minimizing environmental impacts.   In Upper Ojai, partners are conducting a 65-acre prescribed burn to safely remove excess vegetation under carefully planned conditions, reducing fuel loads.   No single tool solves the wildfire challenge. Mechanical treatment, prescribed grazing, and prescribed fire each play an important role in creating healthier, more fire-resilient landscapes.   These proactive projects represent a balanced approach between wildfire safety, environmental stewardship, and community protection. By reducing hazardous fuels before a fire starts, we can improve firefighter safety, strengthen defensible space, protect critical infrastructure, and reduce the intensity and spread of future wildfires.   The Ventura County Fire Department continues to seek collaborative fuels management and wildfire resilience projects throughout the county to help create safer, more fire-adapted communities.   Together, we're building a more resilient Ventura County. @CountyVentura @City_SimiValley @CityofTO

#BarcelonaFire Update: Firefighters report that the majority of the fire has been knocked down. Crews continue to uncover and extinguish pockets of smoldering fire within the attic to ensure complete extinguishment. One patient with minor burn injuries was transported to a local hospital. Firefighters are conducting salvage and overhaul operations while fire investigators work to determine the cause of the fire. @CountyVentura

Ventura County firefighters and Oxnard firefighters are on scene of a structure fire in the 100 block of Barcelona Street in Camarillo. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire showing from the structure with a well-established attic fire. Crews have deployed multiple hose lines and are aggressively attacking the fire while working to protect neighboring homes from extension.

June 1 - Brush Clearance Safety Reminder — As you complete your 100-foot defensible space requirements, Ventura County Fire reminds residents to follow the safety guidelines highlighted in these graphics to help prevent equipment-caused wildfires. Clear today. Protect tomorrow. 📞 Fire Hazard Reduction Program: (805) 389-9759 #VCFD #DefensibleSpace #WildfirePreparedness #FireHazardReduction #ZoneZero @CountyVentura

Hand crews have arrived on scene and are constructing containment lines around the fire using hand tools. Firefighters remove all vegetation down to mineral soil, creating a barrier that helps prevent the fire from spreading beyond the perimeter. These containment lines, combined with ongoing mop-up efforts, will help secure the fire and support full containment.

#LesserFire Update Forward progress of the fire has been stopped. Firefighters have established a wet line around the fire and estimate the fire at approximately 1.5 acres. Crews are continuing mop-up operations, extinguishing remaining hot spots and strengthening containment lines. Hand crews are constructing a control line down to mineral soil around the fire to help ensure full containment. Please continue to avoid the area and allow firefighters to work safely.

Fire hawk helicopters four and five are making water drops. Ground base firefighters are working on putting hose lines around the fire.

Ventura County Fire is on scene in Newbury Park at the Lesser Fire, making an aggressive attack with support from helicopters. Please monitor emergency.venturacounty.gov for the latest updates and any evacuation information.

Sandy Fire morning update: The Sandy Fire remains within its current footprint and has shown minimal activity over the past several days. Firefighters continue making steady progress, and the fire is now 94% contained. A small portion of uncontained fire line remains on the southern section of the fire, which can be seen on the attached map. Firefighters continue using infrared drones during nighttime operations to identify remaining hotspots. During the day, crews hike into rugged terrain to locate, expose, and fully extinguish those pockets of heat. As suppression needs decrease, the incident is continuing to scale down operations and reduce assigned resources. Currently, ~50 firefighters remain assigned to the incident and continue working to strengthen containment lines, patrol the fire area, and ensure full extinguishment. @CountyVentura @City_SimiValley

The Sandy Fire is now 90% contained with 107 firefighters remaining assigned to the incident. Please see the attached map. The suppression cycle continues as firefighters utilize infrared drones during nighttime operations to identify remaining hotspots. During the day, firefighters hike into rugged terrain to locate and fully extinguish those hotspots. For your safety and firefighter safety, please use caution while recreating in the area, especially on dirt roads where fire personnel and equipment continue to operate. @CountyVentura @City_SimiValley