Tag: Ventura County

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, May 19, Robert J. Fenton Junior, the Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 9th Region, which includes Santa Monica, announced that FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to help fight the Sandy Fire.

The fire started near Sandy Avenue in Simi Valley at 10:50 a.m. on May 18. The grant request was submitted to FEMA by the state of California. The fire threatened over 7, 461 properties near Simi Valley. Over 28,000 people already received mandatory evacuation orders.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are available to help fight fires that ignite and could become disasters. The grant can be used to cover “expenses for field camps, equipment uses, materials, supplies, and mobilization, and demobilization activities,” which covers 75 percent of the cost of fighting fires.

The status of the Sandy Fire can be tracked on the Cal Fire website, where evacuation information, a 3D map of the fire, and the latest news updates are available.

According to the latest update, the wildfire is 15 percent contained and has destroyed roughly 1,698 acres. It is limited to Ventura County. As of Wednesday, May 20, the Ventura County Fire Department continues working to contain the wildfire, which is under investigation.

Evacuation warnings and orders have been issued for the region affected by the wildfire, and the area is closed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—On December 30, the Ventura County Emergency (VC Emergency) information source announced a flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) that was in effect until December 30, at 11:00 a.m. PST for southwest California, including portions of southern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County.

In addition, VC Emergency announced evacuations for residents bordering the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Seacliff Avenue South to Emma Wood Group Camp. As of December 30, at 2:50 p.m., these evacuations were lifted.

Flood warnings remain for the PCH, into the area of the Santa Monica Mountains and North of Malibu in the Canyon News coverage area along with the aforementioned areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. 

High Surf Warnings are still in effect. VC advises residents, and those traveling in these areas, and North of Malibu to avoid all coastal jetties and piers. Due to high waves that could wash people off the jetties and rocks without warning, and rip currents that increase the risk of drowning.

The following beaches and piers are closed through December 31, 2023, due to flooding and possible beach erosion, especially during high tide each morning.

All California State Parks, Ventura State Beach, All City of Ventura public beaches, Ventura Pier, All City of Oxnard public beaches, Port Hueneme Pier, Faria Beach, the Rincon Parkway RV area, Kiddy Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Hollywood by the Sea, McGrath State Beach, Mandalay State Beach, San Buenaventura State Beach, and Emma Wood Campground are all closed.

Channel Islands Harbor Entry and Ventura Harbor Entry are closed.

The following information came directly from the VC website. Those with questions regarding the presence of sandbags are encouraged to contact the City Corporate Yard at 1060 Pacific Avenue in Oxnard, or call (805)385-7950.

Sandbags can be expected from Ventura-Marina Park at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura through to the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard, and to Fire Station 25 located at 5674 Pacific Coast Highway.

By Sharon