Thomas Fire Exposes East County Wildfire Risk

Nearly a decade ago, prior to the Thomas Fire, Ventura County fire agencies prepared Wildfire Protection Plans identifying risks, funding priorities, and programs to reduce the impact of wildfires countywide. Fire agencies were warning of increasing wildfire danger even before the current drought cycle began in 2012. The plans, prepared in 2009 and 2010, outlined…

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Cattle Ranchers Battle the Flames

On December 4, the text message from Bud Sloan’s friend said that there was a fire in Santa Paula. Ironically, Bud had been preparing for a controlled burn a few days earlier on November 30 that was cancelled for fire safety reasons. Naturally he had to see for himself. Fire is never good for the…

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Facing down a freight train of fire

Canada Larga canyon was a windstorm. The trees bent and nearly buckled as the westerly wind howled down the canyon. Smoke smell permeated everything and the moon was a bright blood orange. The fire was coming fast. Buon Gusto Farms, a local family-run olive oil producer, is nestled in a small micro-climate valley in Sulphur…

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Retired Fire Chief Bob Roper tells why

In 2009, the Ventura County Fire Protection District produced a Fire Management Plan that identified the “Ventura Fuel Bed” (see map) as part of its countywide wildland fire prevention program. This fuel bed turned out to be the core of the Thomas Fire, responsible for the majority of homes burned as the fire swept through brush filled…

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County Provides Relief to Homeowners in Wake of Thomas Fire

In the wake of the destructive impact of the Thomas Fire, the County of Ventura has made initial steps toward helping affected residents and property owners. The County has collaborated on a clearinghouse of information on recovery efforts, established a series of resource centers in areas affected by the fire, expanded access to rental assistance, and…

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Bentley Ranch Holds the Line

Clif Simonson was supposed to go to a budget meeting Tuesday. Then the Thomas Fire swept through Ventura County. The manager of the 1,000 acre Bentley Ranch adjacent to the southern part of the Ojai Valley immediately cancelled his plans and headed out in his truck. He had been here for the ’85 Wheeler Fire…

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Conservation Trust Saves More than Hillsides

Ventura County, “home of the two trees”, has a whole new meaning in light of the Thomas fire. When the smoke cleared above the Ventura hillside revealing housing tracts that were devastated by the fire’s rampage, the iconic two blue gum eucalyptus trees had survived. The trees, clearly visible from the 101 freeway, sit on…

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Volunteers Rally to Help Ventura Horses After Thomas Fire

Aera Energy employee Louise Lampara was one of thousands forced to evacuate their Ventura homes on the night of Monday, Dec. 4 as the Thomas Fire raced toward the city from nearby mountains and canyons. Even as she and her roommate packed up their two dogs and suitcases and headed to the safety of the…

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