Southern California firefighters gain ground over wildfire thanks to decreased winds

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — Southern California firefighters gained ground Friday against a wildfire that has destroyed at least 132 structures, mostly houses, as favorable conditions were expected to continue through the weekend after two days of dangerous gusty winds.

Forecasters expect light winds over the weekend that will continue to aid firefighters. Meteorologists are monitoring a weather system that could hit Southern California next week but it is not expected to bring another round of extreme winds like earlier this week.

Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff said Friday that 3,500 houses have been repopulated, but residents of 2,000 homes still have not been able to go back.

Maryanne Belote was among those who returned Friday to sift through the charred remains of their properties. She went home to her hillside neighborhood in Camarillo, a city northwest of Los Angeles, after making a harrowing escape with her cat, her dog and her horses as the blaze raged in the area. The only thing standing was a rock wall she built.

“If I hadn’t gotten the horses, I would have been devastated, but I have my family and I have my animals so, I’m OK. I will rebuild,” she said standing outside the remains of her home of 50 years while her dog stayed in her car.

The Mountain Fire started Wednesday morning in Ventura County and had grown to 32 square miles (about 83 square kilometers). It was 14% contained Friday evening.

“We had no external or lateral movement today,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said Friday. “That is fantastic.”

Bill Nardoni and his family sifted through the rubble of their Camarillo home on Friday afternoon and discovered his wedding ring in a safe. But his wife's, kept in a different safe in another part of their house, remained missing and Nardoni did not have high hopes that it would be found intact.

Nardoni, his wife and his visiting mother-in-law fled Wednesday morning with their dogs as flames engulfed both sides of their road. They returned Friday to devastation at a home they'd bought only a year ago that was still going through a remodel.

“The house is decimated. There’s nothing to be salvaged really out of it,” he said. "I don’t know what we’ll do.”

Over three days, thousands of people were under evacuation orders as the fire threatened about 3,500 structures in suburban neighborhoods, ranches and agricultural areas around Camarillo in Ventura County.

At least 88 additional structures were damaged in addition to the 132 destroyed. Officials did not specify whether they had been burned or affected by water or smoke damage. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Ten people suffered smoke inhalation or other injuries that were not life-threatening, Fryhoff said Thursday.

The next day, the sheriff said his deputies will be deploying cadaver dogs in the area as a precaution, even though no one has been reported missing.

Officials in several Southern California counties urged residents to be on watch for fast-spreading blazes, power outages and downed trees during the latest round of notorious Santa Ana winds, including in a rural area of northern San Diego County where a brush fire prompted mandatory evacuations Friday afternoon.

Santa Anas are dry, warm and gusty northeast winds that blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore, moving in the opposite direction of the normal onshore flow that carries moist air from the Pacific. They typically occur during the fall months and continue through winter and into early spring.

The red flag warnings, indicating conditions for high fire danger, expired in most of the area Thursday, except in the Santa Susana Mountains where the warnings expired Friday morning when winds began diminishing.

An air quality alert for harmful fine particle pollution was in effect from Friday morning until Saturday afternoon due to smoke from the wildfires.

More than a dozen school districts and campuses in Ventura County were closed Friday due to impacts from the fires, according to the county’s Office of Education.

The Mountain Fire was burning in a region that has seen some of California’s most destructive fires over the years. The fire swiftly grew from less than half a square mile (about 1.2 square kilometers) to more than 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) in little more than five hours on Wednesday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proclaimed a state of emergency in Ventura County.

Rodriguez reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles, Jae C. Hong in Camarillo, California, and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed.

The remains of a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire is shown in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The remains of a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire is shown in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Heidi Nardoni, right, and family friends search her home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Bill Nardoni, foreground, and family friends search his home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A home destroyed by the Mountain Fire is reflected in water from a swimming pool in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The remains of a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire is shown in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Heidi Nardoni, at right in doorway, and family friends search her home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Peter Banks helps search the home of the Nardoni family that was destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Heidi Nardoni, left, and family friends search her home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Heidi Nardoni, left, and Peter Banks adjust masks as they search her home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Bill Nardoni shows his wedding ring that was found in the remains of his home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The remains of a car sits at the site of a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The remains of a car sit under debris at the site of a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter works near homes destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter works at a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters work at a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Partial remains of a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire remains standing in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters work at a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Firefighters gather at a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Joey Parish visits his home, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, which was destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Firefighters gather at a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Joey Parish phones his wife, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, while standing in front of his home, which was destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Fawn Parish hugs battalion chief Robert Welsbie, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, as his firefighters help sift through rubble at her home, which was destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Joey Parish walks through his home, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, which was destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

A chimney stands at a home destroyed by the Mountain Fire in Camarillo, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows the flames surrounding a house near Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday Nov. 7, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows fire-ravaged houses in Camarillo, Calif., on Thursday Nov. 7, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows houses in Camarillo, Calif., before being damaged by the fire, on Thursday Nov. 7, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

This combo of two satellite images released by Maxar Technologies shows houses before and after being fire-ravaged in Camarillo, Calif., Thursday Nov. 7, 2024. (Satellite image ©2024 Maxar Technologies via AP)

A firefighter prepares to douse flames while battling the Mountain Fire on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Santa Paula, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

A firefighter battling the Mountain Fire watches flames from a firing operation burn off vegetation around Swanhill Farms in Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Todd Howard sifts through the remains of his parents' fire-ravaged property after the Mountain Fire swept through, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Marvin Meador walks on the remains of his fire-ravaged property after the Mountain Fire swept through, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A helicopter drops water as the Mountain Fire burns along South Mountain Rd. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Santa Paula, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

A helicopter drops water while battling the Mountain Fire along Waters Road in Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Jaime Hernandez sprays water to defend his home while battling approaching flames from the Mountain Fire near Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Hernandez has been staying behind to fight multiple wildfires since 1988. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Horses gallop in an enclosure at Swanhill Farms as the Mountain Fire burns in Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Kelly Barton, left, is hugged by a family friend after arriving at her parents' fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Mountain Fire, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Todd Howard, left, sifts through the remains of his parents' fire-ravaged property with the help of firefighters after the Mountain Fire swept through, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A firefighter walks through smoke while battling the Mountain Fire on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Santa Paula, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Inmate firefighters battle the Mountain Fire at Swanhill Farms in Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Flames from the Mountain Fire leap along a hillside as a horse stands in an enclosure at Swanhill Farms in Moorpark, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans certainly didn’t look like a playoff team in a rout by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday.

With just one game left until the playoffs begin, the AFC South champions know they’ll have to get much better to be competitive in the postseason.

“That’s not who we are. That’s not what we represent,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “What we put out there on the field, that’s not Texans football. For anybody to come back and bounce back from it you’ve got to check yourself and make sure you’re playing with elite execution and elite energy.”

The 29-point loss to the Ravens was Houston’s most lopsided defeat this season. The defense gave up a season-high 251 yards rushing and the offense was shut out, with the team’s only points coming on a second-quarter safety.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw an interception and missed several throws in a performance he called “one of the worst games of my whole career.” He was asked how he and the team can move on from such a tough loss.

“That’s the only thing we can do,” he said. “There is nothing in life you can go … back and re-do, so it’s all about how you respond. You hit rock bottom; the only way is up. So, we still have a lot of hope. At the end of the day, we clinched our division. We still have an opportunity in the playoffs.”

The Texans (9-7) went 0 for 2 in the red zone Wednesday to lower their red zone efficiency to 50.94% this season, which ranks 26th in the NFL.

After their safety Wednesday, they had a chance to cut the lead or potentially tie the game when they had a first down at the 10-yard line. Joe Mixon ran for 7 yards on first down before the drive stalled.

He was dropped for a 1-yard loss on second down before an incompletion by Stroud brought up fourth-and-4. Stroud threw a short pass to Mixon and he was stopped at the 1-yard line to give the Ravens the ball back.

Lamar Jackson then led a 99-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-2.

Not much was working in this debacle. About the only good thing that happened for the Texans on Wednesday was a 45-yard kickoff return by Dameon Pierce in the second quarter to start the drive that ended with Mixon being stopped on fourth down. The second-year player is averaging 38.1 yards per return.

The Texans managed just 58 yards rushing against the Ravens with Mixon gaining 26 yards on nine carries. Houston hasn’t reached 100 yards rushing in three straight games and four of its past five. The Texans must get their running game going to take some pressure off Stroud, who is working with a thin receiving group with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs out for the season with knee injuries.

WR John Metchie led the team with five receptions for 48 yards as he took on a bigger role in the offense in the first game without Dell. It’s the second-most yards Metchie has had in a three-year career where he missed his entire rookie season undergoing cancer treatments.

Wednesday was the second time in three games where Mixon was held to fewer than 30 yards rushing. He started the season strong, running for at least 100 yards in six of his first eight games. But he’s struggled since then, reaching 100 yards just once in five games.

G Shaq Mason missed Wednesday’s game after injuring his knee against the Chiefs and it’s unclear if he can return for the next game. … C/G Juice Scruggs missed a fourth straight game with foot injury.

59.2 — Stroud had a 59.2 passer rating in the loss, which is tied for the third-worst rating of his career.

After playing three games in 11 days, the Texans now have an extended break before wrapping up the regular season next weekend at Tennessee. Stroud will try and use this setback to get better.

“There’s not sunny days if there is not days with rain,” he said. “It’s a rainy day but at the end of the day the sun will rise up tomorrow. We have another crack at this thing next week to keep rolling.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tre'Davious White (25) on a fourth down run during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)