Ventura County Living, It Can Be Heaven, It Can Be Hell

by LCoastMom | September 24, 2009 at 01:12 pm

202 views | 5 Recommendations | 10 comments

Depending on where in Ventura County you live; this week has once again showed the diversity of life in Southern California. As the Santa Ana winds raise havoc and hell a few miles inland. For those who live on the coastal plains of Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura; the temperatures have not been unpleasant.

When Santa Ana's blow, the winds whip through the area, knocking out the occasional power line, blowing palm fronds up and down "C" Street and her neighboring streets in North Oxnard and in down town Ventura, from the beach all the way up to the old Ventura Courthouse and across Veterans Memorial Park, the remnants of the winds can be seen on every street. When the wind gusts pick up speed, the sand and debris that float around in the air make it miserable for anyone stuck outside. People with severe allergies and/or lung problems are cautioned not to be out in the thick of it, due to the poor air quality. People who wear contact lenses start looking for those back up glasses they bought and carrying saline rewetting drops is as important as carrying a drivers license and debit card.

Late in the afternoon, as the winds die down, the sky takes on a preternatural glow, casting colorful shadows as the sun sets. After dark the outlines of the blazing hills can be seen for miles around. With the only ill effect overnight is the settling ash that coats anything that is not covered and somethings that are. After living through a few of these, most people stop washing the soot away until the winds blow away and the fire is contained.

Anyone wanting to leave our coastal wonderland need only hop on the 101-Ventura Highway south, a short 15 mile drive will take you from coastal relief, to as close to the thick of the fire as you are likely to get. By mid afternoon you can feel the temperature rise as you descend the Conejo Grade into Newbury Park. Just north of Thousand Oaks on your drive to Moorpark and only 20 minutes from Oxnard, all semblance of coastal living is gone. Traveling through the city of Thousand Oaks the skies are dark at midday and everything is covered in ash and soot. The normal route of Highway 23 from Thousand Oaks into Moorpark ends where the fire threatened to hop the freeway. Highway 23 is the link to Fillmore thru Moorpark it is closed. As is Walnut Canyon and Spring Road. Evacuations of residents and hard closures of roads in some areas remain in effect. An Evacuation Center has been set up at Goebel Senior Center, 1385 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks.

* Large animals can be evacuated to the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

* Small animals can go the Animal Regulation at the Camarillo Airport.

As of this morning the following infrastructures are threatened:

Total of five 220KV power lines that supply large areas of Ventura Co and Santa Barbara Co.
Two of the 220 KV lines are imminently threatened according to Southern California Edison.
* 36’’ under ground natural gas line.
* Oil production fields with associated storage facilities.

The hills are still ablaze as the temperatures once again climb into triple digits, firefighters continue to do battle against the Guiberson fire between Fillmore and Moorpark. With a red flag alert through out Southern CA that is expected to be in effect at least until 6 pm tonight. It is scheduled to expire three hours later in the mountains and forests of Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In Los Angeles County, that zone includes the San Gabriel Mountains and other areas of the Angeles National Forest.

"More than 1,831 firefighters are battling a fire that started south of Fillmore and is burning towards Moorpark. The fire is currently at 16,400 acres and growing. The fire is currently 40 percent contained. Eight firefighters have sustained injuries. There are currently 214 fire engines, 21 helicopters, 8 air tankers 23 fire hand crews and 21 bulldozers working the fire. Additional resources will be ordered as necessary."

http://fire.countyofventura.org/

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katfish

at 19:30 on September 26th, 2009

Whew, Hope this gets under control soon. Thanks for the info.

Syn-OG1

at 00:54 on September 27th, 2009

Great job LCM!

It's so distressing to see all the ravages caused by these numerous widespread fires we've had in CA.

It's so sad when things that can take ages to grow or build, can be destroyed in a matter of minutes, and even seconds.

That's such a beautiful area in So. CA. I know that fire in Ventura hits close to home for you since it was your home town for many years, and holds lots of good memories to you.

I also have wonderful memories of that area, and the Ventura beach area was my favorite stomping grounds.

I hope that it cools off and the winds die down which will help the courageous firefighters battle the beast.

ValValVal (not verified)

at 09:41 on September 30th, 2009

Nice article. Only one problem: paragraph 5 needs some editing.

LCoastMom

at 13:29 on September 30th, 2009

I noticed that, 5 and 6 somehow merged when I hit post. I meant to go back and fix it up and I completely forgot. Thank you very much.

Syn-OG1

at 16:39 on October 4th, 2009

I see we have an editor- welcome aboard!

I know my N.I.T. studies could use some editing. ;-)

ANurse

at 18:19 on October 4th, 2009

great story LCM...

just trying to figure out the logic of your critic...even if logical why be critical???...just my opinion.ttyl

LCoastMom

at 08:28 on October 5th, 2009

Thank you all for coming to my defense, but she was right!!

I must be used to a lot of criticism because I agree with her!! All of the info with the points next to it were all mashed together with the animal care available. It made no sense!!!

If she had said you suck go away, I would have my feelings hurt, but she only pointed out the truth! I fixed it, now it makes sense..

Are the N.I.T.S. making any sense yet, Syn???

sinussad (not verified)

at 19:12 on November 12th, 2009

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LCoastMom

at 12:47 on November 14th, 2009

OK Sinus Sad

I'm sure there are some pertinent messages in there some place, I just haven't found them. As much as I love Wiki, I wouldn't necessarily go there for the kinds of questions you seem to have. But good luck with that...

Syn-OG1

at 13:32 on November 17th, 2009

sinusmad- I think you posted in the wrong place, and you need to lay off some of those meds! ;-)

P.S. If you didn't use all those meds, maybe you wouldn't need Levitra- or if you're a female, and you stopped using all those meds- your b/f or hubby wouldn't need Levitra! LOL!