Topline
A fast-growing wildfire in Southern California triggered multiple evacuation orders in Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Thursday, as officials warned that the extreme heat wave gripping the region could cause the blaze to expand further.
The Canyon Fire broke out on Thursday afternoon near the town of Piru in Ventura County, California, and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
The fire has rapidly grown from around 30 acres when first reported to 4,856 acres as of late Thursday night, with 0% containment, according to Cal Fire.
The growing blaze has triggered evacuation orders in six zones across Los Angeles County—including the neighborhoods of Val Verde, Hasley Canyon and Castaic—while eight other zones were under evacuation warnings.
In Ventura County, evacuation orders are in effect across four areas, including the Lake Piru Recreation Area, East of Piru Canyon Road, East of the Community of Piru and East of Center Street / Highway 126.
4,200. That is the total number of residents who are under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County due to the Canyon Fire, a Venture County Fire Department spokesperson told the Associated Press. The orders cover around 1,400 building and structures across the county. An additional 12,500 residents remained under an evacuation warning.
Earlier on Thursday, after the fire broke out, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger wrote on X: “The Canyon Fire is spreading fast under extreme heat & dry conditions near Ventura–LA County line. If you’re in Santa Clarita, Hasley Canyon, or Val Verde, take evacuation orders seriously—when first responders say GO, leave immediately. Keep aware—please don’t risk lives.”
The Canyon Fire is one of several large wildfires burning through California right now. The largest of these is the Gifford Fire, which has burnt through 99,232 acres across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, making it the state’s largest fire of the year so far. As of late Thursday night it remained only 15% contained.
Wildfire risk remains elevated across California as the state battles an extreme heatwave. Earlier this week the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office warned that “Plants/fuels are very dry and ripe to burn,” as it urged people to “be very careful with anything that could start a fire.” On Thursday, the NWS San Diego office reported multiple new record high temperature for August 7, with the mercury reaching as high as 119 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. In January, California witnessed one of its deadliest set of wildfires ever, the biggest of which were the Palisades and Eaton Fires. The fires covered more than 50,000 acres and killed at least 31 people.
Fast-moving Canyon fire burns nearly 5,000 acres, spurs evacuations in Ventura and L.A. counties (Los Angeles Times)