Canyon Fire Burns Nearly 5,000 Acres and Triggers Mass Evacuations in Los Angeles

• Canyon Fire prompts evacuations
• Heat wave worsens blaze
• Los Angeles on alert

Southern California is facing a new environmental emergency as the Canyon Fire has already consumed nearly 5,000 acres across Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Authorities ordered the evacuation of about 2,700 people during the early hours of Friday as the flames quickly advanced toward residential areas.

Firefighters warned that the blaze threatens high-voltage power lines and communities such as Hasley Canyon and Hathaway Ranch, though it is moving away from the town of Piru.

In total, around 14,000 people and 5,000 structures are under evacuation orders, according to official figures.

Extreme conditions fueling the spread of the Canyon Fire

The fire, which began Thursday near Lake Piru, grew to nearly 2,000 acres within hours due to extreme heat, wind, and dry conditions.

The first evacuations were concentrated between the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge and Interstate 5, in an area near Santa Clarita and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

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Currently, the fire has no containment and is being fought with both aerial and ground resources deployed by the Los Angeles and Ventura fire departments in a joint operation.

The emergency comes amid a heat wave that has pushed temperatures above 90 degrees, with wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour and extremely low humidity.

Other active fires in California

Experts warn that these conditions favor fire spread and hinder containment efforts.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined by authorities. The Canyon Fire is just one of at least four active fires in Southern California in recent hours.

In San Bernardino County, the Gold Fire has burned over 1,000 acres in and around the San Bernardino National Forest.

Farther north, the Gifford Fire, in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, has become one of the largest of the season, consuming nearly 100,000 acres and placing vast areas under mandatory evacuation.

Alarming numbers so far this year

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reported that more than 4,400 fires have been recorded in the state this year.

The affected area exceeds a quarter of a million acres, a figure above the historical average for the first seven months of the year.

According to Fox Weather, the official Los Angeles County website, lacounty.gov/emergency, provides up-to-date information on evacuation orders and current alerts.

In addition to the fire risk, much of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is under an air quality alert.

Air quality alert in Los Angeles

Ozone levels have reached harmful values, a condition that could persist at least through Saturday.

Authorities recommend limiting outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems.

Satellite images and field reports show smoke columns visible for miles, covering much of the sky over Los Angeles.

Affected residents have had to leave their homes with few belongings, seeking shelter in centers set up by local authorities.

Population on high alert as the fire advances

Coordinated efforts between agencies aim to establish containment lines before the fire reaches more densely populated areas.

Despite these efforts, forecasted high temperatures in the coming days and the absence of rain keep the outlook uncertain.

Nearby communities remain on high alert, with sirens and emergency messages ready to activate in case of new evacuations.

California’s wildfire season typically extends into the fall, but large-scale fires are increasingly occurring even in the middle of summer.

Climate change’s impact on wildfire season

Firefighters are urging the public to follow official instructions and avoid areas near firefighting operations.

Climate experts stress that global warming is intensifying the severity and duration of these extreme events.

In the coming hours, the fire’s advance is expected to depend largely on wind direction and the effectiveness of the containment lines established.

The populations of Los Angeles and Ventura remain on standby for official updates as the Canyon Fire continues unchecked, Fox Weather reported.