Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Thursday for the Lake Piru and Val Verde areas as a wildfire burned nearby amid searing mid-summer temperatures a Southern California.
The Canyon fire has scorched roughly 4,856 acres near Val Verde, straddling Los Angeles and Ventura counties, according to Watch Duty. In addition to the evacuation orders, officials also issued less-severe evacuation warnings for parts of the area.
Authorities said late Thursday that there was zero percent containment of the growing blaze.
Fire fuel has become drier as a result of the heat wave that parts of Southern California are experiencing, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Sirard. “We have dusty southwest winds, onshore flow with the heat and so the dusty winds and the dry fuels are helping to spread this wildfire quite rapidly this afternoon,” he said.
An evacuation shelter for civilians can be found here:
- College of the Canyons’ East Gym26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita.
Animals fleeing the fire can be taken to these shelters:
- Large animal shelter — Pierce College6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills
- Small animal shelter — Agoura Hills Animal Shelter29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills
- Small animal shelter — Castaic Animal Care Center31044 Charlie Canyon Rd, Castaic
Val Verde is an unincorporated community in the southeastern Topatopa Mountains foothills in northwestern LA County near the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park. Further northeast on the Ventura County side of the Topatopa Mountains is Lake Piru. It is a popular camping destination within the Los Padres National Forest.
Roughly 400 fire personnel from five different Southern California agencies have been assigned to fight the fire.
An estimated 40 fire engines have been deployed, in addition to 20 hand crews, three water tenders, four dozers, and 11 helicopters capable of dropping water and fire retardant, according to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd. Two nighttime helicopters remain in rotation above the scene. Light winds of 5 mph were pushing the fire towards the east.
“Usually at night time, the winds die out enough the fire could lay down a little bit to some degree and allow the firefighters to knock it down a little bit overnight, hopefully,” Sirard said.
The cause of the fire wasn’t immediately known.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the area, issued a local emergency proclamation in response to the fire, aimed at ensuring all resources are made available to fight the blaze.
Barger also urged residents in the area to heed evacuation orders.
“The Eaton Fire showed us how quickly devastation can strike,” she said. “It is never worth risking your life, the lives of your loved ones and pets, or the safety of those working to protect you. Your safety is my top priority, and swift action saves lives.”
Residents can find the evacuation zones here.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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