The Ojai Valley Inn is among the resorts and hotels that have been evacuated this week because of the largest of at least 10 Southern California fires that have erupted since Monday.
The Inn, whose history dates to 1923 when it was built as the Ojai Country Club by noted California architect Wallace Neff, will be closed until at least next Tuesday. The Spanish Colonial resort, which is a member of the Historic Hotels of America, sits on 220 acres.
Ojai's Blue Iguana Inn and sister property the Emerald Iguana Inn are among the other properties under mandatory evacuation.
Ojai, which is about 85 miles northwest of Los Angeles and about 35 miles east of Santa Barbara, is known for its natural beauty and its spiritual retreats. Director Frank Capra used Ojai Valley as a stand-in for his version of Shangri-La in his 1937 film "Lost Horizon."
The town has been threatened by the Thomas Fire, which has destroyed more than 90 buildings, including 73 homes, across Ventura County since it began on Monday evening. The fire, which the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimates is 10% contained, has covered 132,000 acres, or almost the size of Chicago proper.
The Thomas Fire is one of 10 that are burning across Southern California as of Friday afternoon. While four are contained, the other six are expected to continue through the weekend.
A fire in Los Angeles' Brentwood and Bel-Air districts, which temporarily forced the closure of one hotel and has shut down the Getty Center and Skirball Cultural Center, has covered 475 acres and is about 30% contained.
The Creek Fire, which is located near Sylmar northwest of Los Angeles, has covered more than 15,000 acres and is 40% contained.
Additionally, there are two fires covering a combined 4,400 acres north of San Diego.