THOMAS FIRE INCIDENT INFORMATION

Updated 3/20/18 at 12:45 PM

VENTURA COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER HOTLINE: 805-465-6650

 For Thomas Fire Recovery visit http://www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Weather Summary

A major Atmospheric River event expected to impact Ventura County beginning Tuesday, March 20, 2018 afternoon through Thursday, March 22, 2018 evening. Rain should start spreading over Ventura County this afternoon. Rainfall is expected to range from 2 to 5 inches along the coast with 4 to 8 inches for foothill areas. Some mountain areas may see over 10 inches. Rainfall totals fall off quickly toward the east with the highest totals along Western Ventura County and along Nordhoff Ridge to Santa Paula Creek. The latest model runs are showing the highest totals occurring in Santa Barbara County. Models are also indicating up to 36 hours of moderate to heavy rain with intensities 0.3 to 0.8 in/hr with areas with 1.0 in/hr possible. The highest intensities should occur late Wednesday March 21, 2018 through Thursday, March 22, 2018 morning. Latest models lowered rainfall totals in coastal areas but increased totals for the foothills around Ojai. Clearing is expected on Thursday, March 22, 2018 evening with drier weather expected over the weekend with a possible light rain event mid to late next week

Qualitative Precipitation Forecast from 3/20/18 – 3/22/18

**Qualitative Precipitation Forecast information provided by Fox Weather LLC**

For additional information on future weather forecasts please visit the National Weather Service https://www.weather.gov/lox/

Evacuation Information

Mandatory Evacuation Orders

Matilija Canyon

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

North Fork

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Casitas Springs, Nye Road & surrounding area as described on the map below

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM
• West: Hwy 33
• South: Nye/Hwy 33

La Conchita

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Voluntary Evacuation Orders

Casitas Pass Road, between Santa Ana Road & Rincon Road

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Ojai Road, between Thomas Aquinas College Road and Reeves Road

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Ojai Road, between Thomas Aquinas College and Bridge Road

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

East Ojai, from Gridley Road east to Reeves Road

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Norway Tract, east side of Floral Drive

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Wheeler Canyon & Aliso Canyon

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

Voluntary Evacuations for the City of Ventura

• Effective: 3/20/18 – 12:00PM
• Expires: 3/22/18 – 5:00PM

• Westside Neighborhoods: Generally, all areas East of Wall Street, East of Cedar Street, East of Cameron St. North or West Main St. to Dakota Dr.
• Downtown Neighborhoods: Generally North of Poli St. from Cedar to Kalorama Dr. (Includes Holy Cross School)
• Midtown Neighborhoods: Generally North of Poli St. from Kalorama Dr. to Aliso Ln. South to Main St, East to Lincoln Dr. North to Poli St. East to Agnus (Includes Ventura High School)
• Midtown Neighborhoods: Agnus south to Loma Vista, East to Shamrock, North to Foothill Rd (Includes Loma Vista School)
• East-end Neighborhoods: East of Appian way/Court Ave. to Ashwood north of Telegraph Rd
• All areas North of Pomona St/Beckford St/Albion to Victoria Ave.
• All Areas North of Foothill Road from Victoria Ave. to Kimball Rd.

Shelter Location

• A Red Cross emergency evacuation shelter will be activated beginning March 20, 2018 12:00PM at Ventura College.  Ventura College 4667 Telegraph Rd Ventura, CA 93003
• Santa Paula Community Center – Culture Arts Room 536 W. Main St. Santa Paula, CA 93060
• In Santa Barbara County: Earl Warren Showgrounds 3400 Calle Real Santa Barbara, CA 93105
• Small and large animal evacuation shelter open now (limited space available) Ventura County Animal Service 600 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA

School Closure

City of Ventura

DATA Middle School, Ventura High School and Loma Vista Elementary School will be on minimum day Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Ventura Missionary School will be closed Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

All other schools in the Ventura Unified School District will remain on their regular schedules.

EVACUATION TERMINOLOGY

Mandatory Evacuation

• Mandatory Evacuation Orders may be initiated by law enforcement, Fire Departments, Public Health Agencies, and in rare cases some federal agencies when residents are requested to vacate the area due to an imminent threat.All non-essential persons are requested to leave the area immediately.
• Conditions exist that SERIOUSLY IMPERIL or ENDANGER the lives of those in the defined area.
• The danger is IMMINENT!
• Generally, residents will not be forcibly removed from their own property however those found to be on public property including roadways and public parks may be subject to removal from the area.
• Once out of the area, the general public (including residents) will not be permitted to return until conditions permit.
• Any non-essential persons found by officials traveling through, or loitering in, the area will be escorted out and not permitted to re-enter the area. Those found to be interfering with the disaster response are SUBJECT TO ARREST.
• Utility workers in work vehicles including Southern California Edison, the Gas Company, etc shall be permitted beyond closures for official business only.
• Subsequent to §409.5(d) p.c., nothing shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from entering the area unless the area is determined to be a crime scene.

Voluntary Evacuation

• Voluntary Evacuations may be initiated by law enforcement, Fire Departments, Public Health Agencies, and in rare cases federal agencies. Voluntary Evacuation orders are issued when residents should begin preparing for a potential mandatory evacuation order to be issued.Access to the area under a voluntary evacuation order may or may not restricted by a soft or hard closure.
• The threat to lives is NOT YET IMMINENT.
• Due to the potential for rapidly changing conditions to develop into a serious threat, residents are advised to prepare for the issuance of an evacuation order.
• Residents should prepare personal belongings including pets and livestock for evacuation.
• Advance measures should be taken to prevent harm to individuals with mobility issues or other types of access and functional needs.

Shelter-in-Place Order

• Conditions exist that may ENDANGER the lives of those in a defined area.
• Access to the area under a shelter in place order may or may not be restricted by a soft or hard closure.
• Residents should select an interior room or rooms within their home or business with no or few windows, and taking refuge there.

Thomas Fire Burn Area

Hard Road Closure

• Law enforcement will prevent the general public from entering the area on foot or by vehicle.
• In the case of a long-term closure, barricades may be used to maintain the closure in lieu of law enforcement personnel.
• Subsequent to §409.5(d) p.c., nothing shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from entering the area unless it is a secured crime scene.

Soft Road Closure

• Law enforcement will prevent the general public from entering the area.
• Those residents who reside in the impacted area will be allowed access with ID.

This information was made possible thanks to: 

https://www.vcemergency.com/