After forcing thousands of Californians to evacuate and burning more than 100 structures, a stubborn wildfire northwest of Los Angeles on Friday (Nov 8) challenged firefighting crews working to snuff it out even as fierce winds in the area calmed.

Overnight, the area scorched by the blaze — dubbed the Mountain Fire — remained at about 20,000 acres (8,100 hectares) in Ventura County.

Containment was estimated at 7 per cent, compared with 5 per cent on Thursday, Cal Fire said in an incident update.

"The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain, with dry and receptive fuels, which have challenged containment efforts," the agency said. "Fire activity moderated due to the decrease in winds over the fire."

Cal Fire added that the fire remained a threat to critical infrastructure and that islands would continue to burn within its footprint.

Among those who lost a home to the blaze is Dennis Gottlieb of Ventura County.

He counted himself lucky to be alive as he waited early on Friday morning at a shelter at Padre Serra Parish Catholic Church in Camarillo, California. He lost everything but his truck.

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