Powerful Santa Ana winds near Los Angeles are raising the threat of the most severe wildfires in years across Southern California.
Unrelenting wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph have created the perfect storm, leading to rapid fire spread and widespread evacuations.
These conditions led to a devastating wildfire explosion in Ventura County on Wednesday. Within hours, it had consumed nearly 15,000 acres. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Ventura, Camarillo, Moorpark and Somis, California.
A wildfire that broke out in Ventura County Wednesday morning is still uncontained and has left several people injured, authorities said.
At least 800 firefighters are on the scene, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
Video released by the agency Showing firefighting efforts in Camarillo Heights.
According to reports, several homes were damaged in the fire, but no deaths were reported.
Video of Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorrell Indicates thick Camarillo smoke. In another video, firefighters can be seen trying to extinguish the fire.
Firefighters continued a relentless battle against the blaze through the night using a combination of ground crews and night-flying helicopters.
Hundreds of mutual aid workers continue to arrive on the scene across California as the rapidly progressing fire affects numerous structures.
Damage estimates are expected to begin Thursday. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Another dangerous fire, the Broad Fire, is burning in the Malibu area, threatening homes and residences. business.
The FOX Prediction Center said Santa Ana winds peaked Wednesday morning, but the period of strong northeast to east winds will continue into Thursday.
Although Thursday's conditions are not as extreme, they will remain very conducive to fire spread.
The strongest wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph will occur on and below mountain coastal slopes, including near wildfire areas.
The lowest daytime humidity will be near the fire and throughout Ventura and Los Angeles counties, where the National Weather Service has issued an unusual “especially hazardous conditions” fire weather warning.
The wildfires forced school closures and power outages. Smoke from the fires is also having a major impact on air quality, prompting residents to take health precautions.
