The Mountain fire, which has burned over 14,500 acres and dozens of homes in Ventura County as of Thursday, Nov. 7, has caused dangerous air quality, and road and school closures.
More than a dozen schools and school districts in Ventura County were closed Thursday, and several will remain closed on Friday as well.
The following schools are closed Friday, Nov. 8:
ACE Charter High School
Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education (CAPE)
Mesa Union School District (all locations)
Peak Prep Pleasant Valley
Pleasant Valley School District (all locations)
Santa Paula Unified School District (all locations)
University Preparation Charter School at CSU at Channel Islands
The blaze has also prompted several evacuations as well as the following road closures:
Northbound Lewis Road at Las Posas
Eastbound Highway 118 at Wells Road
Westbound Highway 118 at Tierra Rejada Road
The Ventura County Air Pollution Central District issued an air quality alert, active until Thursday afternoon. The alert said that PM2.5 measurements have reached hazardous levels in Oxnard and Camarillo.
PM2.5 levels mean the amount of the tiny particles in the air that are 2.5 microns, or 0.0025, or less in diameter. PM2.5 can cause a range of health issues, such as asthma attacks, bronchitis and other respiratory symptoms. It’s concerning for all people, whether or not a person has a preexisting condition.
“This can also affect healthy people,” said Dr. Afif El-Hasan. “It worsens diseases you already have, but even in healthy people, that reduces and compromises immunity.”
Dr. El-Hasan is a breathing expert, SoCal Air Quality Management District committee member and pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente Orange County. He recommends that those in Ventura County, and even neighboring areas such as Los Angeles and Orange County, which were also issued air quality warnings, use N95 masks when outdoors.
Dr. El-Hasan also urges the public to remain cautious even after fire personnel contain the blaze.
“Debris and ash can continue to be distributed for days, even weeks after the fire is out,” he said.
Air purifiers are recommended for those without air conditioning or tend to leave their windows ajar to cool down, as the Santa Ana winds can carry the particles over large areas. Vulnerable populations may be eligible for free or cost-adjusted equipment through insurance or other programs, such as Breathe California or the Ventura County Human Services Agency.
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