(CNS) -- Fire fighters from Los Angeles and Orange counties and across the state are among the hundreds of firefighters working today to battle a massive wildfire in Ventura County that has forced thousands of people from their homes, left an unknown number of people injured and destroyed ``numerous'' structures amid fierce Santa Ana winds.

The "Mountain Fire" was reported Wednesday morning on South Mountain near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon and Bradley roads in the Somis area, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The blaze quickly exploded in size, fueled by the terrain and driven by gusting Santa Ana winds. The flames eventually jumped the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in the Camarillo Heights area and chewed their way to the west, north and south.

As of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the fire had burned 14,187 acres. At least 800 firefighters were on the scene. About 42,000 residences in Ventura County are without power as of 12:15 a.m. Southern California Edison has set up community resource centers at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center in Moorpark, Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi, and the Ventura Beach Marriott at 2055 Harbor Blvd. The centers are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday.

Ventura County Fire Department officials said crews on the air and ground would work through the night to continue efforts to quell the flames. ``Hundreds of mutual aid firefighters continue to arrive on scene from throughout California,'' according to the department.

Ventura County fire officials said ``numerous'' struct res have been impacted by the fire, but no firm numbers of destroyed homes and buildings were released as of Wednesday night. According to VCFD, damage estimates were expected to be released beginning Friday.

Hundreds of homes were under evacuation orders, with an evacuation center established at 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo. Multiple roads in the fire area were closed and numerous schools and school districts announced that they would be closed Thursday.

There were reports of at least two people being injured in the blaze. They were taken to a hospital and treated for smoke inhalation, according to media reports. Details about injured people and damage to property were expected to be updated at a news conference Thursday morning. At least 14,000 people were evacuated. Evacuation shelters have been et up at Padre Parish, 5205 Upland Road in Camarillo, for large animals at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 E. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura, and for small animals at the Camarillo Airport at 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo.

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