Fast-moving fires broke out across California on Wednesday as strong winds complicated firefighting efforts, spurred power outages and raised the risk of further ignitions.
An explosive blaze known as the Mountain Fire has prompted evacuations in Ventura County, a mountainous region northwest of Los Angeles. thousands of acres. The fire started on Wednesday morning and was fanned by wind gusts of up to 70 mph (113 km/h).
The fire had been mapped to an area of approximately 8,880 acres (3,593 hectares) by Wednesday afternoon, with flames leaping into rural and residential communities nestled close to burning hillsides, and the fire spreading vastly in just four hours after being ignited. I showed it. With containment at 0%, officials asked Los Angeles County to commit additional firefighting resources.
I saw the building go up in flames. Video posted on social mediaWith howling winds, heavy smoke and orange skies, cars and trucks carrying large horse trailers scrambled to escape. Officials said several people were already injured and taken to local hospitals.
By early afternoon, the fire had jumped Highway 118 and approached numerous sections of Highway 101. Buildings remain under threat.
“Due to the extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in the firefighting effort,” Ventura County Fire Department officials said in an update. “Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are working aggressively to protect life and property.”
Along with residents and businesses rushing to evacuate, the National Weather Service office that covers the Los Angeles area was also forced to evacuate its Oxnard office as the fire rapidly approached.
Strong fall winds are common in the state, but National Weather Service officials warned this week that especially dangerous conditions are developing in Southern California, where the dry terrain is particularly flammable.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned: 'Very critical' fire conditions remain throughout the day It extended the warning for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until Thursday morning. “Damage from wind gusts of 90 mph combined with approximately 10% humidity and extremely dry fuel!!” the agency said in a post about I called on them to pay.
Expected wind gusts of 50 to 100 mph (80 to 161 kph) and humidity levels as low as 8% could make some areas of Southern California prone to “extreme and life-threatening” fires into Thursday. The Bureau of Meteorology has announced that conditions may arise.
Officials in several counties urged residents, especially those in coastal, valley and mountain areas, to be aware of rapidly spreading fires, power outages and downed trees due to the recent infamous Santa Ana winds.
Meanwhile, Pacific Gas and Electric Company shut off power to tens of thousands of accounts across the state. try to limit In hazardous situations there is a possibility of ignition. About 46,000 customers also lost power in several counties, including Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara, after Southern California Edison issued rolling blackouts to reduce the risk of wildfires. The company reported that an additional 228,000 people were at risk of power outage by Thursday due to dangerous conditions.
Forecasters also issued a red flag warning from California's central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into northern counties until Thursday.
The San Francisco Weather Bureau said sustained winds of 30 mph were possible in many areas, with gusts up to 55 mph along the mountain peaks.
Associated Press contributed report
