 The fire destroyed almost as many residences in several rural communities amidst the rugged mountain terrain of Ventura County.The fire threatened the Ojai Valley, and on December 13, the fire completely surrounded the area, including Lake Casitas.The fire began burning through the rugged Santa Ynez Mountains as it threatened several small communities along the Rincon Coast north of Ventura, expanded into the Los Padres National Forest, and reached Santa Barbara County.