VIDEO: 65 Firefighters Tackle Large Blaze at Ventura County Recycling Yard, Residents Urged to Wear Masks

A fire at a Ventura County recycling yard is currently being battled by approximately 65 firefighters after large piles of rubbish caught ablaze Thursday evening. According to a report by ABC7, the fire started around 6 p.m. in the 1900 block of Lirio Avenue in Saticoy, east of Ventura. Smoke from the fire is expected to be visible throughout the night, but authorities have indicated there is no immediate threat to residential areas.

Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activity while the fire burns. "It's scary. I don't want my kids breathing it. I don't want to breathe it," Rachel Flores, a resident, told ABC7. To effectively shield themselves from the smoke, people nearby are being urged to wear disposable N-95 or P-100 masks. Advanced technology, including drones, is being utilized by the Ventura County Fire Department to monitor the situation and strategically respond to the fire.

To contain the fire, firefighters are working defensively, deploying aerial ladders capable of flowing up to 1250 gallons per minute. A post from the department's official X account, showcased drone footage from Drone 11, underscoring the department's use of new technologies to assess threats and adjust tactics accordingly. Despite the size of the fire, currently, no evacuations have been ordered.

The firefighting teams are also working in tandem with the recycling yard's equipment operators to methodically delay the pile of crushed burning cars. This collaboration is aimed to more quickly extinguish the flames. In a follow-up post, officials stated, "Firefighters are coordinating with the property owner’s heavy equipment operators to delayer the pile of crushed burning cars."

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Witnesses earlier in the evening reported hearing sounds reminiscent of fireworks as some materials within the rubbish fire appeared to explode. As firefighters continue to work through the night, local agencies are standing by to provide assistance and ensure public safety in the impacted area.