Cornell Fire Ravages Santa Paula; Thousands In Ventura Lose Power

SANTA PAULA, CA — A brush fire in Santa Paula has spread to at least 173 acres Monday, according to Ventura County firefighters.

Deemed the "Cornell Fire" after breaking out on the 600 block of Cornell Drive, the blaze was first reported in the Santa Clara River bed near the Santa Paula Airport around 11:45 a.m. Monday. It was initially estimated at three to five acres, but wind gusts of up to 35 miles an hour spread the blaze to 25 acres within an hour. By 1:45 p.m. Monday, it had spread to 173 acres, according to aerial mapping from firefighters. By 3:10 p.m., Monday firefighters appear to have contained the spread: the acreage was still only reported at 174 acres.

#CornellFire; air attack updates fire acreage to be 173 acres. Fire is staying within the river bottom, there are some evacuation warnings in place. Follow https://t.co/lZ7sT3kXmB for updated road closures and warnings. @vcfd @vcso @santapaulacity #vcfd pic.twitter.com/m7lOS9KRYp
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 7, 2020

The Ventura County Fire Department has been working to keep the fire contained between Highway 126 and South Mountain Road to protect structures in the area, according to a report in the Ventura County Star. Capt. Brian McGrath, an agency spokesman, told Patch the fire has been kept to a confined area, and that while no structures have been destroyed, firefighters are assessing the area for structure damage.

As of 2 p.m., an evacuation warning is in for the area south of the 126, north of Todd Road, and south of Shell Road, but no evacuation orders were issued.

As of 1 p.m., the onramp to the eastbound 126 at Briggs Road has been closed after fire was seen over the highway overpass. California Highway Patrol officials initially set up a closure on South Mountain Road at 12th Street. As of 1:15 p.m., the 12th Street bridge has reopened, but South Mountain Road remains closed.

At 3:44 p.m., Ventura County fire officials said that they are asking CHP Ventura to close Highway 126 at Briggs Road due to smoke and fire in the road median.

#CornellFire; FF’s are asking for the the @CHP_Ventura to close HWY 126 at Briggs rd due to smoke and fire in the center median. Photo-credit @415FirePhoto @VCFD @VENTURASHERIFF #vcfd pic.twitter.com/LPciwnHibS

Ventura County remains under a Red Flag Warning Monday as Santa Ana winds create critical fire conditions. It is expected to last until 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

#CornellFire view from Santa Paula's Calpipe Road pic.twitter.com/UMVxbtGAh9 https://t.co/DFqW3aV8hm
— Michael Barthel (@RealMiBaWi) December 7, 2020

In Ventura County, winds gusted up to 40 mph in the coastal section, causing a eucalyptus tree in Oxnard to fall at around 1:50 p.m., according to the Oxnard Fire Department.

By 2 p.m., about 7,560 customers in Ventura County, including Santa Paula, Fillmore, Moorpark, and Simi Valley, were affected by a public safety power shutoff. Similar areas lost power last week.

— This is a breaking story. Refresh for updates.