Fast-growing brush fire forces thousands to evacuate north of Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — A rapidly spreading brush fire has led to the evacuation of thousands in a mountainous region north of Los Angeles.

The Canyon Fire ignited on Thursday afternoon and expanded to over 7.6 square miles (19.7 square kilometers) by 11 p.m., as reported by the Ventura County Fire Department. At least 400 firefighters were engaged in combating the blaze, supported by multiple planes and helicopters. It remained uncontained late Thursday and was advancing eastward into Los Angeles County, according to officials.

The fire is raging just south of Lake Piru, a reservoir within the Los Padres National Forest. It is near Lake Castaic, a favored recreational site that was affected by the Hughes Fire in January. That fire scorched approximately 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) in just six hours, prompting evacuation orders or alerts for 50,000 residents.

Sunny, hot, and dry weather conditions were anticipated on Friday in the region impacted by the Canyon Fire, with daytime temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) and humidity levels in the mid-teens, based on information from the National Weather Service. Light winds were expected in the morning, shifting to the south-southwest in the afternoon.

In LA County, approximately 2,700 residents evacuated, with 700 structures under an evacuation order, as stated by officials late Thursday. An additional 14,000 residents and 5,000 structures were under evacuation warnings. Areas within the Val Verde zone had transitioned from an order to a warning.

The evacuation zones in neighboring Ventura County were largely uninhabited, according to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd on Thursday. Fifty-six individuals were evacuated from the Lake Piru recreational area.

Dowd described the situation as a “very dynamic” event triggered by extreme heat, low humidity, steep and challenging terrain, along with dry vegetation.

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

“Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have led to hazardous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed,” Barger stated. “If first responders advise you to leave, do so—without hesitation.”

This new fire emerges as a significant wildfire in Central California has become the state’s largest of the year, putting hundreds of homes at risk and raging uncontrollably in the Los Padres National Forest.

The Gifford Fire had expanded to 155 square miles (402 square kilometers) by Thursday night, with only 15% containment. It originated from at least four smaller fires that erupted on August 1 along State Route 166, causing closures in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 residents. At least four people have been injured. The causes of these fires are currently under investigation.

The risk of wildfires will remain elevated throughout the weekend across much of inland California as the ongoing heat wave intensifies. August and September are typically the most perilous months for wildfires in the state.