Latest news with #LACountyFireDepartment
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rapidly growing fire prompts thousands of evacuations in California
A fast-growing wildfire northwest of Los Angeles has prompted mandatory evacuations for thousands of residents, as extreme heat and dry conditions fuel its rapid spread. The blaze, named the Canyon Fire, ignited on Thursday afternoon along the border of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. By Friday morning, it had expanded from 30 acres to nearly 5,000 acres. More than 2,700 residents have been asked to evacuate, while a further 14,000 people have been given evacuation warnings, the Ventura County Fire Department said in a statement. The fire remains entirely out of control or "0% contained" as of Friday, officials said. Extreme heat and dry conditions are complicating firefighting efforts. The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to soar to 100°F (37.7°C) in the coming days. The city of Santa Clarita, one of the closest to the blaze, is on high alert. City officials have urged residents to stay away from fire-affected areas. "The #CanyonFire is spreading fast under extreme heat & dry conditions near Ventura–LA County line," LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger wrote on X. "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." As of Thursday evening, there were no reported injuries or residences damaged by the blaze, the LA County Fire Department said. The Canyon Fire is one of several active wildfires across the state, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The Gifford Fire, the largest active blaze in the state, has engulfed almost 100,000 acres and is burning across the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Wildfires have become more frequent in California, with experts citing climate change as a key factor. Hotter, drier conditions have made fire seasons longer and more destructive. In January this year, the Eaton Fire tore through the Altadena neighbourhood just north of Los Angeles, killing at least 31 people and destroying thousands of structures. More than 400 indirect deaths linked to LA wildfires, study suggests How one street in LA went up in flames From Baywatch to toxic waste - LA's iconic beaches unrecognisable after fires
CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Canyon Fire in California near Lake Piru burns over 4,800 acres, prompts evacuations
Thousands of people remain under evacuation orders and warnings after the Canyon Fire burning in Ventura and Los Angeles counties broke out on Thursday afternoon. The vegetation fire, which is estimated to be 4,856 acres and 0% contained, erupted near Holser Canyon north of the Piru community, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. Overnight, firefighters continued battling the fire, using water and retardant-dropping aircraft, as it spread east toward the Castaic area. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the fire is threatening power lines as well as the communities of Hasley Canyon and Hathaway Ranch. Crews from the Ventura County Fire Department and the LA County Fire Department are operating in unified command. About 600 people have been assigned to the incident, including seven helicopters. The fire's rapid growth prompted officials to issue evacuation orders and warnings in Ventura and LA counties. In Ventura County, five zones are under an evacuation order, including the Lake Piru Recreation Area and two zones are under an evacuation warning. In LA County, authorities issued evacuation orders for Val Verde, Oak Canyon, as well as Hasley and Romero Canyons. There are five zones under an evacuation order, with six zones under an evacuation warning. Authorities said areas within the Val Verde zone have been reduced to a warning. It is unclear exactly how many residents are being affected by the orders and warnings. For more detailed information on the evacuations in Ventura County, visit the Incident Map and Dashboard. For the LA County side, visit Cal Fire.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fast-moving Canyon fire burns 1,500 acres, spurs evacuations in Ventura and L.A. counties
A rapidly growing wildfire straddling the Ventura-Los Angeles county line Thursday afternoon triggered evacuations in and around Piru and Castaic amid a major heat wave that officials warned could foster extreme fire growth and behavior. The Canyon fire was initially reported to be about 30 acres, but within about two hours that estimate jumped to just over 1,000 acres, according to Ventura County officials. By 7:30 p.m. the fire had burned 1,500 acres and was spreading east toward Interstate 5 in L.A. County, threatening the communities of Hasley Canyon, Val Verde and Hathaway Ranch as well as power lines in the area. The blaze broke out around 2 p.m. near Holser Canyon Road, northeast of Piru — a small, unincorporated town not far from Castaic Junction, where Interstate 5 meets Highway 126, according to Ventura County officials. Around 4,000 residents and 1,400 structures were affected by evacuation orders, while another 12,500 people and more than 4,000 structures were affected by evacuation warnings, according to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd. Dowd said impacted residents were almost entirely in L.A. County. "In the area of the fire that's in Ventura County, we do have four evacuation zones, but it's a very sparsely populated area, very rural area, and the fire is moving east out of that area," he said. Both the Ventura and Los Angeles County fire departments were responding to the scene, where crews were facing temperatures up to 100 degrees with wind gusts up to 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service's Los Angeles office. Around 150 firefighters, along with 11 fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters, were working to battle the fire, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. In Ventura County, evacuation orders were issued for the Lake Piru Recreation area as well as the communities of Camulos and Piru. In L.A. County, evacuation orders were issued for the communities of Del Valle, Val Verde, Hasley Canyon and Castaic. Several surrounding areas were also under evacuation warnings. L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Santa Clarita Valley, urged residents to heed evacuation alerts. "Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed," Barger said in a statement. "If first responders tell you to leave, go—without hesitation. The Eaton Fire showed us how quickly devastation can strike." An evacuation center was opened in the East Gymnasium of the College of the Canyons, at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. Read more: Canyon fire: Evacuation zones, road closures, shelters Barger issued a local emergency proclamation shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday to enable L.A. County to expedite the deployment of resources to assist residents and combat the fire. "Our priority is to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure, and this proclamation will help ensure that we have the tools and support necessary to meet the urgent needs of our communities," she said in a statement. Read more: California fires are burning and incoming heat wave could make things worse Lake Piru Recreation Area is closed until further notice, as is Piru Canyon Road, which connects the town of Piru to the lake. The Canyon fire is the fourth major blaze in the region in recent days, including the Gifford fire burning across the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo county line. That fire, which ignited last week, is now California's largest this year at more than 98,000 acres. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Firefighters control large blaze at South Gate auto shop
It took firefighters nearly an hour to extinguish a large fire burning at a South Gate auto shop on Saturday morning. The fire was first reported at around 1:15 a.m. in the 5900 block of E. Firestone Boulevard near El Paseo Street, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Shortly after arriving at the scene, crews designated the fire a second alarm due to large flames shooting from the roof of the building. Nearly 80 firefighters were called to assist with the battle, which could be seen from video captured by bystanders. Some firefighters stood on tall towers extending above the fire as they pointed houses onto the blaze. It's unclear what sparked the fire and an investigation is underway. No injuries were reported.
CBS News
19-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Firefighters rescue 5 people swept away by flash flood near Azusa
Firefighters rescued five people after a flash flood in the San Gabriel Mountains swept them away. The search and rescue operation happened at roughly 4:25 p.m. near Camp Williams, along East Fork Road, near Camp Williams Resort. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said it rescued five people, one of whom suffered an ankle injury. The others suffered minor injuries, such as scrapes. Firefighters said everyone involved in the rescue is accounted for. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the San Gabriel Mountains, west of Mount Baldy, until 7 p.m. The NWS recommended that anyone in the advisory area move to higher ground and move away from a burn scar area quickly. Residents should avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. The NWS also issued a special weather statement for strong winds in Ventura County, until 3:30 p.m., and communities near Covina, Glendora and San Dimas, until 4 p.m.
