Ojai residents take stock of their good fortune— and vulnerability — after surviving the Thomas fire
OJAI, Calif. - Ojai residents knew an autumn like this would come. They were aware that the mountains that ring their isolated valley town were, like much of rugged Ventura County, vulnerable to wildfire.
They figured they were prepared.
But after the Thomas fire broke out 8 miles to the east Dec. 4, it swept with breathtaking speed toward town and, within two days, had all but encircled it. Firefighters cut containment lines within a mile of the yoga studios, organic restaurants and boutiques along the main drag, and forecasts called for winds of up to 70 mph that would blast flaming embers in all directions.
"We were surrounded by raging fires," said Victoria
