On November 6, 2024, the devastating Mountain Fire erupted, affecting citizens throughout Ventura County. In a matter of hours, the Ventura County Fairgrounds was transformed from the event venue you know, to an evacuation resource for large animals, a staging area for fire personnel, and a command center for the Sheriff’s Department. The Fairgrounds became a small city of big heroes that included as many as 497 engines from cities far and wide and 2,999 personnel coming and going to and from the Fairgrounds. More than 150 horses, goats, alpacas, and other large animals evacuated to the Fairgrounds’ barns.
The Ventura County Fairgrounds is grateful for the first responders who fought the Mountain Fire and assisted the community affected by the devastation. The Fairgrounds had an up-close look at the efforts being made and has partnerships with the Ventura County Fire Department, Cal Fire, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Animal Services, CHP, and many more agencies – all of whom work on behalf of our community.