Daijiworld Media Network - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Aug 9: A rapidly spreading wildfire in Southern California has forced thousands to evacuate as emergency crews battle intense flames fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions.

The Canyon Fire ignited around 1:25 PM local time on Thursday near the town of Piru in eastern Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. Since then, the blaze has surged to over 4,800 acres (approximately 19.4 square kilometres), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

By Friday morning, containment had reached 25%, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported on social media. However, the fire continues to move eastward rapidly and has already crossed into Los Angeles County, raising alarm across the region.

Authorities have issued evacuation orders in five zones within Los Angeles County, displacing around 2,700 residents and putting 700 structures at risk. An additional six zones remain under evacuation warnings, affecting nearly 14,000 residents and 5,000 structures.

In Ventura County, five evacuation zones have been declared, with two additional areas under warnings. Firefighters are working under high-risk conditions to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading deeper into residential zones and natural reserves.

Approximately 400 personnel have been deployed to combat the fire, Cal Fire confirmed, as air and ground units continue to work in coordination.

Thursday’s temperatures peaked at 37.8°C (100°F), with humidity levels between 15–17%, according to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS). These conditions have significantly worsened fire behavior and complicated suppression efforts.

While some cooling is forecast over the weekend, the NWS warned that a warm air mass will persist. “Temperatures are expected to stay above seasonal norms as high pressure aloft lingers over the Southwestern United States,” the agency noted, adding that an onshore flow may prevent record-breaking heat but won’t provide substantial relief.

Experts say such wildfires are becoming increasingly common as climate change continues to push up global temperatures, creating the perfect conditions for devastating fire seasons across the American West.