Additional Coverage:
The Canyon Fire, raging north of Los Angeles, has triggered a local emergency proclamation as it expands across Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The fire, which began Thursday afternoon, has quickly grown to nearly 5,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations for thousands of residents.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger stressed the urgency of the situation, stating the proclamation will expedite access to resources and cut through red tape, enabling a more effective response. The declaration allows authorities to coordinate across agencies, deploy more firefighters and equipment, and streamline the procurement process.
Currently, five zones in Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders, impacting 2,700 residents and threatening 700 structures. An additional six zones are under evacuation warnings, placing 1,400 residents and 5,000 structures at risk. Ventura County also has several zones under both mandatory evacuations and warnings.
Over 400 personnel, supported by seven helicopters, are battling the blaze, which is currently 25% contained. As of Thursday evening, no injuries or residential damage have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Residents are urged to stay vigilant, heed evacuation orders, and seek updates through official Los Angeles County channels.
This rapidly spreading fire comes on the heels of the Gifford Fire in Solvang, which has become the state’s largest wildfire this year, scorching nearly 100,000 acres.