Alex Horton and Andrew Freedman for the Washington Post
November 1, 2019 at 1:59 p.m. EDT
Hundreds of firefighters attacked blazes on multiple fronts into the predawn California morning, as meteorologists warned residents to brace for more of the dry winds that have whipped some wildfires into monster infernos.
The Maria Fire ignited in the dry brush in Ventura County early Thursday evening and quickly consumed thousands of acres, illuminating the contours of South Mountain in a smoky orange glow by nightfall.
The Storm Prediction Center warned of another day of “critical fire weather” in parts of Southern California, including Ventura County. The area remains under a “red flag” warning from the National Weather Service, which said a “long duration of single-digit humidities will continue” near the Maria Fire through Friday afternoon.
The Maria Fire’s size had grown to nearly 9,000 acres by early morning, and officials ordered evacuations in an area that covers 7,500 people, officials said, as more than 500 firefighters swarmed the blaze.AD
But the Ventura County Fire Department said it welcomed potentially colder temperatures and weaker winds compared to the past few days to blunt the fire’s rush down the dry slopes of South Mountain.
“Ground and air resources are strategically attacking the perimeter,” the department said.
Helicopter pilots donned night vision equipment to drop their payloads in darkness, but officials once again warned residents that flying drones could impede efforts after one of them briefly halted operations, KGET reported.
Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, has been hit hard by wildfires this week.
The Easy Fire in Simi Valley approached the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library’s front door and prompted evacuations of thousands Wednesday before firefighters wrangled control, bringing it to 80 percent containment by Friday morning.
At least three firefighters were injured in response to the fire, the county fire department said.
In the northern half of the state, the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County surpassed 77,000 acres of incinerated wine country. Fire officials said it was 68 percent contained after it ignited nine days ago.
