Wildfire — Ventura, California

1998-10-18 to 1998-10-24 · near Piru, Ventura, California

Event narrative

The combination of dry vegetation and offshore winds fueled a wildfire in the Santa Clara Valley. The Piru Fire, started by sparks from a welder's torch, burned over 12,500 acres between the communities of Piru and Fillmore. Sixty power poles and 1700 agricultural trees were either lost or damaged. Several homes in Fillmore were evacuated. Seven minor injuries were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5668302. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.