Highlights
- The Canyon fire in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, has burned over 7.6 square miles
- As of Thursday evening, it was 0% contained and spreading rapidly
- Around 4,200 people and 1,400 structures are under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County
- Another 12,500 people are under evacuation warnings
- Hot, dry weather and steep terrain are fuelling the fire
- The Gifford fire in central California has become the state’s largest wildfire of the year
A fast-moving wildfire in a mountainous area of Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents on Thursday, as emergency services battled to control the blaze.
Named the Canyon fire, the blaze ignited around 1.30pm and had grown to more than 7.6 square miles (19.7 sq km) by 11pm, according to local authorities. As of Thursday evening, the fire remained 0% contained and was continuing to spread east.
The fire is burning just south of Lake Piru, within the Los Padres National Forest, an area also affected by January’s Hughes fire, which scorched around 15 square miles in just six hours and placed 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings.
Thousands under evacuation orders or warnings
In Los Angeles County, approximately 4,200 residents and 1,400 structures are currently under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 12,500 residents under evacuation warnings, according to Andrew Dowd, spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department.
Evacuation zones in Ventura County itself remain relatively sparsely populated, although 56 people have already been evacuated from the Lake Piru recreation area.
Dowd described the fire as a “very dynamic situation”, driven by extremely dry weather, rugged terrain, and ample dry vegetation acting as fuel. Around 250 firefighters have been deployed to the area, supported by helicopters and aerial resources.
Officials urge swift evacuation
Kathryn Barger, the Los Angeles County supervisor for the affected district, issued a strong warning to residents, urging them not to hesitate if told to evacuate:
“Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed,” she said. “If first responders tell you to leave, go – without hesitation.”
Gifford fire becomes California’s largest blaze of 2025
Elsewhere in California, the Gifford fire in the central region has grown into the largest wildfire in the state so far this year, having spread to 154 square miles (399 sq km) by Thursday afternoon. The blaze remains only 15% contained.
It began last Friday, sparked by at least four smaller fires along State Route 166, which has since been closed in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of roughly 110,000 residents. At least four people have been injured. Investigations into the causes are ongoing.
The Gifford fire in the central region has grown into the largest wildfire in the state so far this yearGetty Images
Fire danger expected to intensify
The risk of wildfires is forecast to remain elevated across much of inland California through the weekend, as a heatwave continues to grip the region. According to the state’s fire department, August and September are historically the most dangerous months for wildfires in California.
“In southern California, the threat is driven by persistent drought, high grass loads, and weakening coastal moisture,” the department warned in its wildfire forecast.
