Camarillo Airport Plays Vital Role in Fighting Mountain Fire

Widespread blaze began on Wednesday morning and quickly grew, pushed by Santa Ana winds.

Thursday, November 07, 2024 at 04:50 PM ET

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The Mountain Fire prompted a Temporary Flight Restriction (TRF) and Camarillo Airport (KCMA) in Ventura County, California, will be closed to nonemergency aircraft through November 13. [Courtesy: Ventura County]

Key Takeaways:

Camarillo Airport (KCMA) is serving as a critical base for aerial firefighting operations against the Mountain Fire, leading to its closure for non-emergency flights due to a Temporary Flight Restriction.
The Mountain Fire is 0% contained, fast-moving due to Santa Ana winds, and has resulted in over 14,000 evacuations and the loss of multiple buildings.
Extensive resources from various agencies, including numerous aerial units and ground crews, are deployed but face challenges such as reduced visibility from smoke and unpredictable wind shifts.

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Camarillo Airport (KCMA) in Ventura County, California, is playing a vital role in the efforts to extinguish the Mountain Fire. The wildfire began on Wednesday morning and quickly grew, pushed by Santa Ana winds.

The airport is being used as a base for the aerial defense aircraft, which may increase to 28 in all by this evening, according to Ventura County spokesperson Jannette Jauregui.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.