Fire History
Ventura County has experienced a concentrated series of destructive fires driven by powerful Santa Ana wind events. The 2017 Thomas Fire originated in Ventura County before spreading into Santa Barbara. The 2018 Woolsey Fire (96,949 acres) burned across both Ventura and LA counties, destroying communities in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Malibu. The 2018 Hill and Maria fires burned simultaneously. Ventura County's urban-wildland interface along the 101 corridor and Conejo Grade is among the most fire-exposed in the state.
Local Compliance Notes
Ventura County Fire Protection District adopted its local FHSZ maps in July 2025, making it one of the earlier adopters in Southern California. This means Phase 2 timelines are already running. Homeowners in Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Oak Park, Westlake Village, and Ojai should confirm their Phase 2 deadline directly with VCFPD.
Neighborhoods in Zone Zero
High-FHSZ communities in Ventura County include Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Moorpark foothills, Simi Valley hillsides, Ojai Valley, Santa Paula foothills, Fillmore foothills, Ventura hillsides, and communities along Highway 33 and the Conejo Grade.
Local FAQs
Ventura County adopted FHSZ maps in July 2025 — does that mean my Phase 2 clock has started? Yes. VCFPD adopted the maps in July 2025, which starts the local compliance timeline. Contact VCFPD directly to confirm your specific Phase 2 deadline. This makes Ventura County one of the further-along counties in terms of formal Zone Zero implementation.