On Thursday, parts of Southern California faced swift evacuations as firefighters tackled a blaze known as the Canyon Fire. This fire ignited east of Lake Pill in Ventura County and was initially estimated at about 50 acres.
Officials indicated that the fire started to the north of Highway 126, before it eventually spread into Los Angeles County.
“Hell,” was the strong sentiment expressed by the Mayor of Los Angeles amidst the crisis.
Evacuations have been mandated in and around the recreational area of Lake Pill, with an evacuation warning issued for a ranch adjacent to the western edge of Holther Canyon, as reported by NBC 4. Some parts of Los Angeles County are also under evacuation orders and advisories.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department stated, “Canyon fires are actively burning between Los Angeles and Ventura counties, leading to evacuation orders and warnings in several areas.”
In response to the flames, a water-drawing aircraft was deployed, using Lake Pill—the reservoir located in the Rospadres National Forest in northwest Los Angeles.
The Canyon Fire was one of at least four wildfires reported in Southern California on that day.
As for the cause of this fire, it remains unclear. This incident occurs in the wake of multiple wildfires that affected Southern California earlier this year, which burned over 50,000 acres, leading to the destruction of more than 18,000 homes and buildings. The death toll from those fires reached at least 30, and around 200,000 people were evacuated.
This year has seen over 4,400 wildfires reported in California, an increase from last year’s tally of 3,800 at the same time. More than 221,100 acres have been charred so far, surpassing the 83,200 acres that burned through July last year.
