Ventura County Brush Fire Forces Aquinas College Evacuation

Historic San Buenaventura Mission and Thomas Aquinas College were among thousands of facilities forced to evacuate Dec. 4 and 5 by a fast-moving and deadly brush fire in western Ventura County.  Most private and public schools in the fire area were closed Dec. 5, either from the direct threat of fire or extremely poor air quality caused by smoke from the fire, which had burned more than 45,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of structures (including a hospital) and caused one death.