Mountain Fire Disrupts High School Sports Events in Ventura County

The city of Ventura is facing challenges this week as the impact of the Mountain Fire has affected numerous high school sports events, including cross country finals and football and tennis playoff games. Schools in the area are working to find safe locations for their athletes to practice and compete amid the ongoing emergency.

Football playoffs are among the most affected, with Rio Mesa and Ventura High Schools agreeing to relocate their CIF-Southern Section Division 5 playoff game from El Rio to Royal High School in Simi Valley. Rio Mesa athletic director Chris Ruffinelli emphasized the importance of keeping things in perspective. “We lost a day of practice,” he said, “but people have lost their houses. This is a football game.”

Meanwhile, the Division 7 playoff game featuring Camarillo and Oak Park, initially set for Camarillo, will now take place at Oak Park High. Camarillo athletic director Mary Bittner Perez expressed gratitude for the opportunity to still play, stating, “We’re very grateful for a chance to show what Camarillo is about this year.”

Other games, such as the Division 4 first-round clash for St. Bonaventure against Orange Vista, were moved to Santa Barbara City College, due to the fire shifting northeast towards Santa Paula. The increase in fire activity prompted St. Bonaventure athletic director Raul Camacho to prioritize safety in their decision.

For cross country events, the Citrus Coast League has cancelled its finals, scheduled for Thursday at Lake Casitas, due to the Mountain Fire complications. Previously determined league standings will now rely on prior meets. Additionally, the Channel League finals have been rescheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. after being postponed from Wednesday.

In terms of air quality, many schools, including Oxnard Union High School District institutions, were unable to practice Wednesday amid hazardous conditions. Some, like Nordhoff, reported better air quality levels but are still monitoring the situation closely. Nordhoff head coach Dillon Lowen said, “You can start to see the smoke coming into the valley and smell it today, but it’s not too bad.”

With all of these changes and uncertainties, local athletes and administrators remain focused on the future of their seasons while prioritizing safety amidst the unpredictable circumstances brought by the Mountain Fire.