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Dieser Artikel wurde urspr\u00fcnglich von Ojai Valley News ver\u00f6ffentlicht.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Mountain Fire, which burned 19,904 acres throughout Ventura County since Nov. 6, is almost out, with 98% containment reported as of 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 18.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to the Ventura County Fire Department, 100% containment is expected some time on Tuesday, Nov. 20.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Around 132 structures have been destroyed and 88 were damaged, most of which were homes, according to Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Damage inspection teams continue to survey the area, and updated numbers on the total number of structured destroyed are expected in the near future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A Local Assistance Center (LAC) was opened on Nov. 14 to provide help to residents who lost homes, property or experienced losses as a result of the Mountain Fire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The center is open Monday \u2014 Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located at 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n More information on the center is available at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.ojaivalleynews.com\/news\/county\/mountain-fire-assistance-center-opening-nov-14-to-aid-in-recovery\/article_037c5722-a142-11ef-948f-bf5459a5a780.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n All evacuation orders have been lifted, and residents can begin the recovery and clean-up process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For health and safety reasons, residents are encouraged NOT to return to their property unless public safety has deemed it safe to do so. More information on which areas can be accessed safely is available at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.venturacountyrecovers.org\/returning-home\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n A forum hosted by United Policyholders will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. to help residents connect with trained volunteers to help navigate the recovery process. To register, visit:\u00a0https:\/\/uphelp.org\/events\/survivor-to-survivor-forum-for-wildfire-survivors-4\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n More information on basic needs and assistance; guidelines for swimming pools; minor burn debris removal and cleanup; hazardous waste removal, and other various recovery information can be found at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.venturacountyrecovers.org\/returning-home\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Farm Bureau of Ventura County has also collaborated with CoLAB and the Department of Agriculture Weights & Measure to host a series of three webinars for agricultural producers. The seminar will focus on recovery efforts of crop\/tree damage, insurance and resources that are available for residents. The first meeting will be hosted on Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at 555 Airport Way in Camarillo. The event can also be attended via Zoom, and more information on how to register is available at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.venturacountyrecovers.org\/event\/mountain-fire-ag-recovery-series\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Donations, community support and volunteer opportunities are all underway throughout Ventura County to help victims of the Mountain Fire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So far, LA Galaxy has donated $10,000 to American Red Cross in support of Ventura County first responders and fire relief efforts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Padre Serra Parish, a Catholic church located at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo, became an overnight shelter for County families evacuated by the fire, providing meals, medical care and a place to sleep throughout the disaster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n An emergency fund has been established by the county to accept donations for community members and local nonprofits affected by the Mountain Fire, known as the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund.<\/p>\n 100% of contributions will go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n More than 130 individuals have contributed to the fund so far, with the VCCF Board of Directors authorizing the immediate distribution of $20,000 in direct financial assistance to support eight families who lost their housing in the wildfire to secure temporary housing and other essentials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Additionally, $10,000 in financial assistance was allocated to cover the costs of emergency animal evacuations and ongoing care, ensuring pets and livestock displaced by the fire are safe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n More information on the relief fund, and how to donate, can be viewed online at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.venturacountyrecovers.org\/recovery-information\/accepting-donations-for-mountain-fire-emergency-fund\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Ventura Bee Rescue, owned by beekeeper and Ventura resident Eduardo Flores, has also started a GoFundMe to rebuild his 150 beehives that were lost in the fire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The loss to millions of bees for Flores will harm his work with local communities, where he helped to provide live bee relocation, pollination and local raw honey to the community, according to the GoFundMe. More information, photos of Flores\u2019 work, and ways to donate are available at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/help-ventura-bee-rescue-rebuild-bee-yard-after-mountain-fire<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Somis resident Juan Torres also shared a story of his devastating loss due to the Mountain Fire, which can be viewed on the OVN YouTube channel at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZhPA-TJrwuk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The District Attorney\u2019s office is warning Ventura County residents to be aware of possible price gouging for essential foods, medicines, household necessities and housing following the Mountain Fire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n During a State of Emergency, which was declared by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Nov. 7 for the Ventura area, it is illegal for sellers to raise prices more than 10% for items such as fuel, food and hotel rooms, except under very limited circumstances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are also protections for residents from eviction and unfair rent increases occurring during a state of emergency. Any violation of the code is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “Exploiting those affected by the devastating Mountain Fire for financial gain is illegal and will not be tolerated,” said District Attorney Erik Nasarenko in a release. “I encourage anyone who suspects price gouging to report it to our office immediately so we can undertake a review and investigation.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Those reports can be sent to:\u00a0DAOpricegouging@ventura.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Additional information and details of how to report price gouging can be found at:\u00a0https:\/\/www.vcdistrictattorney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/District-Attorneys-Office-Issues-Warning-Against-Price-Gouging-Amid-Mountain-Fire-State-of-Emergency.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Ventura County Animal Services Agency also shared about a recent scam targeting lost pet owners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe recently became aware of a scam targeting lost pet parents who post lost pet flyers on social media (including Nextdoor) which contains their contact information. Scammers are posing as VCAS, claiming to have people\u2019s lost pets \u2014 often saying the pet is injured \u2014 then asking for payment over the phone,\u201d a release from the agency states. \u201cPlease be aware that VCAS will\u00a0never\u00a0request payment over the phone, nor call from a private blocked number.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Additional information and how to report any incidents of fraud can be found here:\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/VCAnimalService\/status\/1858566448706154944\/photo\/1<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n As the fire nears 100% containment, Santa Anas remain a threat in the coming weeks for Ventura County, bringing more fire-weather conditions and concerns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nLocal Assistance Center:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Rebuilding Process:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Recovery Efforts:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Watch For Potential Scams:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Weather:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n