Crews battling the un-contained Canyon Fire that’s scorched nearly 5,000 acres and prompted evacuation orders in an area straddling Los Angeles and Ventura counties in the Val Verde area west of Castaic, will be contending with continued high temperatures Friday but a lack of wind could help firefighters gain containment.
The National Weather Service has issued forecasts for temperatures in the low single digits for Friday, slightly cooler than Thursday with variable light winds building to stronger southwest gusts in the afternoon.
The fire moved fast after erupting near Lake Piru in Ventura County, then spreading into Los Angeles County, prompting evacuation orders in the Val Verde area west of Castaic.
As of early Friday morning, the blaze had grown to 4,856 acres with 0% containment
The Fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, burning in a remote area east of Lake Piru, but it spread rapidly through the brush. Initially estimated at about 30 acres, within two hours, the brush fire had burned through 1,051 acres.
The fire increased to 1,500 acres by 7 p.m. Thursday, Cal Fire reported.
With the fire advancing, evacuation warnings were issued in the Val Verde area. That warning was later elevated to an evacuation order and expanded to include the Hasley Canyon area, while some surrounding neighborhoods were placed under additional warnings.
Some evacuation orders were later downgraded to warnings.
One structure has been reported destroyed, but no residences have burned and no injuries have been reported.
Fire crews from Ventura and Los Angeles counties were battling the flames in unified command with Angeles National Forest personnel. There were 250 firefighters and seven helicopters assigned to the fire, according to an 8:08 p.m. Thursday update from Cal Fire.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the area and chairs the Board of Supervisors, issued a local emergency proclamation Thursday afternoon 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.”
She also said refusing to evacuate complicates the work of firefighters, who must then concentrate efforts on preserving lives instead of property.