Thousands Forced To Evacuate After California Wildfire Rapidly Spreads To Over 5,000 Acres

Thousands Forced To Evacuate After Wildfire Rapidly Spreads To Over 5,000 Acres

Danielle

The rapidly-spreading Canyon Fire in California exploded to over 5,000 acres by Friday afternoon, forcing thousands of residents in northern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County to evacuate.

The fire is currently 25% contained, according to an alert posted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

California wildfires: The Canyon Fire in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, broke out on Thursday, rapidly growing and forcing evacuation orders for over 4,000 homes

Five zones in Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders, with 2,700 residents evacuated and 700 structures threatened by the flames, officials said. Six other zones in this county are currently under an evacuation warning, with 1,400 residents and 5,000 structures at risk, officials said.

Ventura County also has five zones under evacuation orders and two areas under evacuation warnings. A full list of the counties under evacuation orders and warnings is available on Cal Fire’s website.

For those having to evacuate, a shelter has been established at the College of the Canyon’s East Gymnasium in Santa Clarita, officials said.

The blaze, which began on Thursday afternoon, is burning east with a “rapid rate of spread in light to medium fuels,” according to Cal Fire. Multiple strike teams of engines, hand crews and dozers have been ordered to “reinforce the initial response,” with 400 personnel and seven helicopters assigned to fight the flames, officials said.