A rapidly spreading wildfire in Southern California has led to mandatory evacuations and a local emergency declaration in Los Angeles County after swelling to nearly 5,000 acres in less than a day.
The Canyon Fire ignited at 1:25 p.m. Thursday north of Highway 126 and west of Castaic, near the Ventura County line, according to Cal Fire. By 9:40 p.m., the blaze had consumed 4,856 acres with no containment reported, Ventura County officials said.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered around the Lake Piru recreation area in the Los Padres National Forest, affecting about 2,700 residents and 700 structures. Evacuation warnings were issued for another 14,000 people and more than 4,700 structures.
While officials reported no injuries or residential damage, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger issued a local emergency proclamation to speed access to firefighting resources.
Forecasters warned that hot, dry conditions — with temperatures near 100 degrees, low humidity, and light winds — could aid the fire’s spread. No rain is expected in the region, which was heavily impacted by destructive wildfires earlier this year, including the Hughes Fire that burned more than 10,000 acres.
