A rapidly spreading wildfire northwest of Los Angeles has triggered mandatory evacuations for thousands of residents as extreme heat and drought conditions accelerate its growth. The Canyon Fire, which ignited Thursday afternoon along the Ventura and Los Angeles county border, ballooned from 30 acres to nearly 5,000 acres by Friday morning, threatening homes and critical infrastructure.
More than 2,700 residents have been ordered to evacuate, while an additional 14,000 people are under evacuation warnings, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The inferno remains 0% contained, with firefighters struggling against triple-digit temperatures and bone-dry winds. The National Weather Service predicts dangerous heat exceeding 100°F (37.7°C) in the coming days, exacerbating firefighting challenges.
The city of Santa Clarita, one of the closest populated areas to the wildfire, has been placed on high alert. Officials have issued urgent pleas for residents in Hasley Canyon and Val Verde to heed evacuation orders.
“The #CanyonFire is spreading rapidly under extreme heat and dry conditions near the Ventura-LA County line,” warned LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger on social media. “When first responders say GO, leave immediately—do not wait. This is a life-threatening situation.”
As of Thursday evening, no injuries or destroyed homes had been reported, according to the LA County Fire Department. However, the fire’s unpredictable behavior and my record-breaking heat have raised fears of sudden flare-ups.
The Canyon Fire is just one of multiple active wildfires scorching the state. The Gifford Fire, California’s largest current blaze, has already consumed nearly 100,000 acres across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of California wildfires to climate change, with hotter, drier conditions extending fire seasons and amplifying destruction.
