Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, the nearly 20,000-acre Mountain Fire in Ventura County forced thousands of people to flee their homes as it quickly exploded by thousands of acres, injuring people and destroying homes in its path.

The Mountain fire, which has burned over 14,500 acres and dozens of homes in Ventura County as of Thursday, Nov. 7, has caused dangerous air quality, and road and school closures. More than a dozen schools and school districts in Ventura County were closed Thursday, and several will remain closed on Friday as well.

A massive wildfire fueled by Santa Ana winds had destroyed dozens of homes and property in the Camarillo and Somis areas of Ventura County, California. Officials estimate that as of Thursday morning,