Firefighters describe harrowing conditions as a wildfire broke out in Southern California

Firefighters on Sunday described battling fierce, howling winds and rescuing people in a fast-spreading wildfire in Southern California that forced thousands of people to flee and destroyed at least 168 buildings and damaged 67.

Crews increased containment of the mountain fire in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles to 31%, up from 26% Sunday morning. The size of the fire remains approximately 32 square miles.

“I am grateful for the number of lives saved and the fact that we have zero reported deaths,” Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said emotionally at a town hall meeting Sunday night.

“I know we have suffered extensive damage, but thousands of homes have been saved and hundreds of lives have been saved. I know we made mistakes, but we will learn from those mistakes,” he said.

Ventura County public safety officials said they were prepared for dry, warm and gusty northeast winds from Santa Ana. But the fire that broke out Wednesday morning exploded on a large scale, with wind gusts of 80 miles per hour and embers flying from orchards 2 1/2 miles away into residential neighborhoods around the community of Camarillo.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Inspection teams continue to assess the damage.

Firefighters conducted 136 active rescue operations, authorities said Sunday.

Evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings for residents in several areas of Ventura County on Saturday as winds died down and firefighters were helped by mild temperatures and low humidity.

Agriculture officials, who assessed the impact on farmland planted with avocados, citrus and berries, estimated damage at $2.4 million, the Ventura County Star reported.

Another round of northeast winds was expected Tuesday, but humidity should rise and gusts are not expected to increase as much as those that fueled the fire, National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Walbrun said.

“They will not be nearly as strong as the winds that occurred at the start of this fire. But for some of you, you’re going to hear that wind and it might trigger you a little bit,” he said.

The region northwest of Los Angeles has seen some of California’s most devastating fires over the years.

The mountain fire quickly grew from less than half a square mile to more than 16 square miles in just over five hours on Wednesday, with gusts exceeding 61 mph.

Red flag warnings indicating high fire danger expired in most parts of the region on Thursday.

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