The fire prompted evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people as it threatened structures in suburban communities and agricultural areas around Camarillo.

Menlo Park Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen, who spent a decade as the chief in Ventura County, said firefighters prioritize evacuations before defending structures. It used to be that there was more time to extinguish a fire before it became life-threatening, he said.

Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, the Mountain Fire in Ventura County forced more than 10,000 people to flee their homes as it exploded by thousands of acres, injuring people and destroying homes in its path.

Residents in the foothills above Camarillo are grappling with scenes of staggering destruction after the Mountain fire flattened scores of homes.

"It just breaks my heart. Nothing like this has ever happened," said Ken Bibby who lost his brand new home in the Mountain Fire.