California wildfire prompts evacuations

Brush fire north of Los Angeles forces evacuations as heat and dry conditions drive rapid spread.

California wildfire drives thousands to evacuate as blaze grows

A brush fire in Ventura County north of Los Angeles ignited and grew quickly, forcing thousands to evacuate. The Canyon fire reached more than 2.3 square miles within five hours and remained 0% contained late Thursday, with the blaze spreading east. It sits south of Lake Piru and near Castaic Lake, areas popular with visitors. In Los Angeles County alone, about 4,200 residents and 1,400 structures are under evacuation orders, while another 12,500 residents in Ventura are under evacuation warnings. Fifty-six people were evacuated from the Lake Piru recreation area. Roughly 250 firefighters are on the ground, supported by helicopters and other air resources. The fire is described by Ventura County officials as a very dynamic situation caused by hot, dry weather, steep terrain and dry fuels. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger urged residents to evacuate, saying, "Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed." The piece also notes a separate big blaze in central California, the Gifford fire, which by Thursday had burned 154 square miles in the Los Padres National Forest and was only 15% contained, with at least four injuries. Forecasters warn that wildfire risk will stay elevated through the weekend as a heatwave intensifies across inland California.

The Canyon fire shows how quickly conditions can change in California’s wildfire season. Evacuations test trust in local leaders and the capacity of emergency services to move people fast. Officials must balance urgency with clear guidance while managing limited resources that are spread across multiple fires. The parallel Gifford fire illustrates the strain on regional systems when fronts flare up, prompting tough choices on where to allocate air support and crews. With heat and dryness likely to linger, communities should expect more alerts and potential evacuations in the days ahead.

Highlights

Officials emphasize vigilance as conditions remain unstable