Fast-growing brush fire forces thousands to evacuate north of Los Angeles
Share this @internewscast.com

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A fast-growing brush fire has forced thousands of people to evacuate in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles.

The Canyon Fire erupted Thursday afternoon, expanding rapidly to over 7.6 square miles (19.7 square kilometers) by 11 p.m., as reported by the Ventura County Fire Department. More than 400 personnel, along with multiple planes and helicopters, were engaged in combating the blaze, which remained uncontained late into Thursday. Officials noted its eastward spread into Los Angeles County.

The fire is currently burning just south of Lake Piru, a reservoir within the Los Padres National Forest. It’s near Lake Castaic, a well-known recreational spot that the Hughes Fire affected in January. That previous fire consumed about 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) in just six hours, prompting evacuation orders or warnings for 50,000 people.

Friday was expected to bring sunny, hot, and dry weather to the area affected by the Canyon Fire, with temperatures likely reaching close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) and minimum humidity levels dropping to the mid-teens, according to the National Weather Service. Winds were anticipated to start light in the morning but increase from the south to southwest by afternoon.

In LA County, approximately 2,700 residents evacuated late Thursday, with 700 structures under an evacuation order, officials reported. An additional 14,000 residents, along with 5,000 structures, were under an evacuation warning. The regions within the Val Verde zone transitioned from an order to a warning status.

Nearby Ventura County’s evacuation zones were mostly unpopulated, according to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd on Thursday. Fifty-six individuals were evacuated from the Lake Piru recreation area.

Dowd called the blaze a “very dynamic situation” caused by hot, dry weather, steep and rugged terrain and dry fuel.

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the district, urged residents to evacuate.

Barger emphasized the hazardous conditions brought by the extreme heat and low humidity in the north county, which can cause the flames to spread rapidly. “If first responders instruct you to evacuate, do so without hesitation,” Barger stated.

The new blaze comes as a massive wildfire in Central California became the state’s largest blaze of the year, threatening hundreds of homes and burning out of control in the Los Padres National Forest.

The Gifford Fire had spread to 155 square miles (402 square kilometers) by Thursday night with 15% containment. It grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted Aug. 1 along State Route 166, forcing closures in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people. It has injured at least four people. The causes of the fires are under investigation.

Wildfire risk will be elevated through the weekend across much of inland California as a heat wave gripping the area intensifies. August and September are typically the most dangerous months for wildfires in the state.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Gov. JB Pritzker news: Governor calls meeting with retired military leaders, blames Trump for alleged militarization of Chicago

Governor JB Pritzker Engages Retired Military Leaders in Discussion on Chicago’s Militarization, Points to Trump’s Influence

In a significant move Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker convened with a group…
Waukegan hair salon D'Marco converts into food pantry as Chicago-area immigration enforcement keeps some at home

From Haircuts to Hope: Waukegan Salon Transforms into Lifeline for Immigrant Community Amid Chicago’s Immigration Crackdown

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) — The intensifying immigration enforcement in the Chicago region…
Putnam 9-year-old arrested, accused of threatening student with knife at school

Putnam County Sheriff Shares Mugshot of 9-Year-Old on Facebook, Sparking Controversy

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has ignited a heated debate by sharing…
Police chase ends with truck explosion and fire in dramatic scene captured on camera

Intense Police Pursuit Culminates in Fiery Truck Explosion Captured on Video

A dramatic low-speed police pursuit near Kansas City, Missouri, concluded with a…
Two Putnam County deputies fired for falsifying timecards, sheriff's office says

Putnam County Deputies Dismissed Over Alleged Timecard Fraud, Sheriff’s Office Confirms

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has reported a financial loss exceeding $9,000…
ICE arrests illegal alien sworn in as suburban Chicago police officer: 'Pritzker's Illinois'

ICE Detains Undocumented Individual Serving as Suburban Chicago Police Officer

In a significant development, immigration officials have detained an Illinois police officer…

Texas Detention Center Shooting: Two Suspects Charged with Terrorism Offenses

DALLAS (AP) — A pair of individuals apprehended in connection with a…
TSA Shutdown Ad To Be Shown in Alaska Airports

TSA Launches New Advertisement Campaign in Alaska Airports Amid Shutdown

In recent days, a message from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem…
Ex-Angels official says employee convicted of pitcher's fatal overdose struggled with mental health

Former Angels Exec Reveals Mental Health Struggles Behind Employee’s Role in Pitcher’s Tragic Overdose

In a Santa Ana courtroom on Wednesday, Tim Mead, a former Los…
Blue city repeat offender accused of metal pipe rampage just days after release

Rampage in the Blue City: Repeat Offender Strikes Again with Metal Pipe Fury

A New York City man has found himself back in custody following…
Federal Judge Sara Ellis orders ICE field director Russell Hott to testify, some agents to wear body cams in Chicago area

Judge Mandates ICE Director Testimony and Body Cam Use for Agents in Chicago Area

CHICAGO — A federal judge has summoned the Chicago ICE field director…
Chicago ICE activity: Federal agents swarm Back of the Yards flea market; demonstrators detained at BP gas station nearby

Federal Agents Conduct Major Operation at Chicago Flea Market; Protesters Detained at Nearby Gas Station

CHICAGO (WLS) — Federal immigration officers were visible throughout Chicago on Thursday…