08.08.2025 07:54

A rapidly spreading wildfire, dubbed the Canyon Fire, ignited Thursday afternoon near Piru, Ventura County, prompting widespread evacuations across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The blaze, whose cause remains under investigation, escalated dramatically from an initial 30 acres to a staggering 4,856 acres by Thursday evening, with zero containment reported by Cal Fire.

Fueled by the intense heat wave gripping Southern California, the fire's rapid growth necessitated immediate action. Six zones within Los Angeles County, including the communities of Val Verde, Hasley Canyon, and Castaic, were placed under mandatory evacuation orders. Simultaneously, eight additional zones received evacuation warnings, urging residents to prepare for potential displacement. Ventura County also issued evacuation orders for four distinct areas, encompassing the Lake Piru Recreation Area and several neighborhoods east of Piru Canyon Road, the community of Piru, and Center Street/Highway 126.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger's urgent message on X (formerly Twitter): She stressed the critical importance of heeding evacuation orders, particularly for residents of Santa Clarita, Hasley Canyon, and Val Verde, emphasizing the need for immediate compliance with first responder directives to safeguard lives. The extreme heat and dry conditions significantly exacerbated the fire's rapid spread, demanding swift and decisive action from residents and emergency services alike. Images from the scene depict firefighters battling the flames, residents evacuating their homes, and the devastating impact of the inferno on the surrounding landscape. These visuals, sourced from internet resources, vividly illustrate the severity of the ongoing emergency.