New Los Angeles-Area Fire Threatens Communities, Power Lines
The Canyon Fire was burning in an area straddling Los Angeles and Ventura counties and reached 5,370 acres and was 25 percent contained by the afternoon of Aug. 8, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
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CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Gifford Fire in California's Central Coast reaches "mega fire" status, burns more than 119,000 acres
The Gifford Fire burning in California's Central Coast in Santa Barbara County has reached "megafire" status and has become the state's largest fire in 2025. As of Monday afternoon, the blaze has reached 119,214 acres and is 33% contained as more than 4,000 firefighters continue battling flames, according to Cal Fire. The fire burning in the rugged Garcia Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest and is threatening nearly 3,000 structures. The California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5) says the fire is moving north and northwest toward the Huasna Valley and communities including Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Santa Margarita and Carrizo Plains. Overnight, the fire crossed containment lines in the northeast, just south of Machesna Wilderness. The CIIMT 5 says crews will continue to reinforce lines along Avenales Ranch Road, the Salinas River bed, Hi Mountain Road, Caldwell Trout Creek, and the Huasna River. They are also "preparing to launch a 36-hour strategic firing operation," which is set to begin in the evening. Ground and aerial crews hope to reduce vegetation ahead of the main fire. Incident meteorologists will also be monitoring conditions to help provide spot weather forecasts. The fire erupted on Aug. 1 around 3:44 p.m. on Highway 166 near Gifford Trailhead. Firefighters from Los Padres quickly responded to separate fires along the north side of the highway and, within 15 minutes, mapped over 800 acres. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. After burning more than 119,000 acres, the Gifford Fire has reached "mega fire" status. A "mega fire" is defined as a wildfire that burns more than 100,000 acres of land, according to the U.S. Interagency Fire Center. The Gifford Fire has become the largest wildfire in California in 2025, according to Cal Fire. After the Gifford Fire broke out, officials quickly issued evacuation orders and warnings, which were later expanded. Officials urge residents who live within evacuation warning zones to be prepared to leave their homes at a moment's notice, if conditions worsen. Individuals who need extra time to evacuate, such as people with disabilities or those with large animals, should leave immediately. An evacuation center has been established at the New Life Student Center at 941 N. Oak Park Way, Pismo Beach. The American Red Cross is working to provide assistance to those impacted by the fire. They can be reached at 805-678-3073. Several animal shelters have also been established for small and large animals. For large animals: Small/domestic animals, the following locations are available: San Luis Obispo County: SLO County Animal Services - 875 Oklahoma Ave, San Luis Obispo; Please call (805) 781- 4800 for assistance and in advance of arrival so staff can prepare. Santa Barbara County: Several roads remain closed as crews continue to battle the fire and try to increase containment.
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Canyon Fire 91% contained in Ventura, Los Angeles counties, authorities say
The Canyon Fire, which has torched about 5,370 acres around the border between Ventura and Los Angeles counties, is close to complete containment after firefighters made significant progress on the blaze overnight, according to authorities. Cal Fire says the fire is 91% contained as of a 5:19 a.m. update on Monday. Fire activity was minimal overnight, allowing crews to improve control lines and focus on isolated heat sources. The 960 personnel assigned to the fire will be spread out to quickly extinguish any flare-ups, Cal Fire said. High temperatures could reach to as much as 104 degrees in fire areas on Monday, with gusts of wind potentially reaching 20 miles per hour. The Canyon Fire began last Thursday in the area directly southeast of Lake Piru and west of Castaic. As many as seven structures have burned. A firefighter with Kern County Fire Department was seriously injured when his truck overturned and rolled nearly 200 feet down a hill in Castaic. He was later identified as Battalion Chief James Agee.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Thousands Evacuated as California Firefighters Battle Canyon Fire
A wildfire in Southern California sparked early Thursday evening and grew quickly in size overnight. Hundreds of firefighters continue to fight the new Canyon Fire that has spread to around 5,370 acres. The blaze started in a rural area east of Lake Piru in Ventura County. From there it spread exponentially, traveling east and into Los Angeles County and toward the San Fernando Valley and neighboring Santa Clarita. As of Friday afternoon, 400 firefighters have worked to get the Canyon Fire to 25% containment. No injuries and minimal damage has been reported, with only one home and a nearby shed being destroyed by the blaze so far. Thousands of Californians in Val Verde, Sloan Hillcrest, and neighboring Lake Piru communities are being forced to evacuate their homes. A temporary shelter was been established for those affected at the College of the Canyon's East Gymnasium in Santa Clarita. The new Canyon Fire across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties comes just eight months after a series of wildfires devastated Southern California. The Canyon Fire at Lake Piru is less than 60 miles northwest of the city of Los Angeles. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Firefighters are expected to continue to contain the fire, but high temperatures and low humidity could cause further issues on the dry mountainside terrain. Wildfire Season The Canyon Fire is just one of many currently spreading across California and the southwestern United States. The Gifford Fire, the largest fire in California this year, is currently spreading across the Los Padres National Forest and has burned more than 100,000 acres. Meanwhile in Arizona, the Dragon Bravo Fire has been scorching the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon since July 4. This fire has burned over 130,000 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Thousands Evacuated as California Firefighters Battle Canyon Fire first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025
