Firefighters in Southern California worked through Friday to contain the fast-growing Canyon Fire, which surged to nearly 5,000 acres and forced widespread evacuations in northern Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
According to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd, “We’re trying to build a box around this fire and put it out before it gets into any of the potential communities that are currently under evacuation orders.”
The Canyon Fire is the largest of several blazes sparked by consecutive days of extreme heat in the region. Farther north in San Luis Obispo County, the much larger Gifford Fire has already scorched 100,000 acres. The Canyon Fire erupted during triple-digit temperatures, adding to the challenge for firefighting crews.
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Extreme Heat Fuels Rapid Spread
Weather officials reported that while a slight weakening of the high-pressure system and an increase in onshore winds may lower temperatures by 1 to 3 degrees through Saturday, the warmest valleys are still expected to reach 100 degrees. Conditions are forecast to heat back up on Monday, with temperatures likely returning to Thursday’s highs.
In a Friday morning forecast, the National Weather Service noted, “Although a few degrees of cooling is expected through the weekend, a very warm air mass will remain in place. An onshore flow regime will keep temperatures from exceeding record levels, but temperatures are expected remain above seasonal normals as high pressure aloft lingers over the Southwestern United States.”
The Canyon Fire broke out around 2 p.m. Thursday near Holser Canyon Road, northeast of Piru, an unincorporated community close to Castaic Junction. Initially reported at about 30 acres, the fire exploded to more than 1,000 acres within two hours. By Friday morning, it had burned 4,856 acres, advancing east toward Castaic and Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County. It was 0% contained, with at least 400 firefighters engaged in suppression efforts.
“Fire conditions are settling down for the night, the air is cooling off, and we continue to have an aggressive fire attack happening, coordinated between ground resources and helicopters,” Dowd said. “So while we certainly have a significant number of people still evacuated and a significant number of residents that are under evacuation orders, we continue to make good progress.”
Evacuations and Warnings Impact Thousands
As of late Thursday night, about 2,500 residents and 700 structures remained under mandatory evacuation orders. Evacuation warnings extended to approximately 14,000 people and more than 4,700 structures.
Firefighters from both Ventura and Los Angeles counties faced temperatures up to 100 degrees and wind gusts of 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office. The Ventura County Fire Department confirmed that around 250 firefighters, 11 fixed-wing aircraft, and seven helicopters were deployed to combat the flames.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Santa Clarita Valley, warned residents to act quickly if ordered to leave. “Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed,” she said. “If first responders tell you to leave, go without hesitation. The Eaton Fire showed us how quickly devastation can strike.”
Authorities established an evacuation center at the East Gymnasium of the College of the Canyons, located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.
Infrastructure and Safety Concerns
Officials closed the Lake Piru Recreation Area and Piru Canyon Road, which connects the town of Piru to the lake. The fire also raised concerns about the Pitchess Detention Center, housing about 5,000 inmates in four facilities. The detention center, located east of Interstate 5, was just outside the evacuation warning zone on Thursday night.
Melissa Camacho, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed deep concern. “January’s Hughes fire burned within a half-mile of the jails, and not a single person incarcerated there was evacuated,” Camacho said. “It’s heartbreaking that, less than eight months later, the 5,000 people in the jails and their loved ones will spend another sleepless night watching a fire and praying that it doesn’t reach them.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that it is actively monitoring the fire and coordinating with county and fire officials. Agency spokesperson Nicole Nishida explained that, based on current fire behavior and the facility’s construction, sheltering in place was considered the safest strategy. The grounds around the detention center have been cleared of vegetation to create a wide defensible space.
Conclusion
The Canyon Fire’s rapid expansion and proximity to populated areas have created an urgent situation for thousands in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. With extreme heat, dry conditions, and gusty winds persisting, firefighting crews are working tirelessly to protect homes, infrastructure, and lives. Evacuation orders remain in effect as officials continue to monitor fire behavior closely.
