A rapid brush fire erupted in the mountains north of Los Angeles on Thursday, prompting thousands to evacuate. This blaze, called the Canyon Fire, started at 1:30 p.m. and quickly spread to over 2.3 square miles in just five hours. As of late Thursday, it was zero percent contained.
The fire is burning near Lake Piru, part of the scenic Los Padres National Forest. Interestingly, it’s close to Lake Castaic, a spot that had to deal with the Hughes Fire earlier this year, which burned 15 square miles and led to evacuation orders for around 50,000 residents.
In the ongoing crisis, roughly 4,200 residents in Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders, with an additional 12,500 receiving evacuation warnings, according to Andrew Dowd from the Ventura County Fire Department.
Despite the evacuation efforts, many of the affected areas in Ventura County are not heavily populated. About 56 people were evacuated from the Lake Piru recreation area, but the numbers could have been higher without immediate action. Dowd described the situation as “very dynamic,” with the fire fueled by hot, dry weather and rugged terrain. Currently, around 250 firefighters are working alongside helicopters and other air support.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is stressing the urgency for residents to evacuate. “Extreme heat and low humidity have created dangerous conditions for rapid fire spread,” she warned, urging everyone to leave if instructed by first responders.
Recent patterns have shown an alarming trend: wildfires in California are becoming larger and more intense. The Gifford Fire, another extensive blaze in Central California, has become the state’s largest for the year, already covering 154 square miles. It is only 15% contained and has resulted in multiple injuries. Experts suggest that ongoing drought conditions, combined with high grass loads and reduced coastal moisture, are amplifying the wildfire risks across the state.
According to a report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, August and September are known as peak wildfire months. As the current heat wave continues, wildfire risk remains elevated throughout much of inland California. Understanding this context helps highlight the urgency of the current situation and why officials are advising residents to take precautions.
Stay safe, monitor local news, and remain updated on evacaution orders. As the fire situation evolves, communities will need to come together and support first responders in these challenging times.
