A wildfire fire is burning near Los Angeles in the Los Padres National Forest.

By Jon King, News Reporter

11:02, Fri, Aug 8, 2025 Updated: 11:04, Fri, Aug 8, 2025

Two firefighters are dwarfed by flames from the wildfire raging in California

A wildfire in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles ignited and quickly spread on Thursday afternoon, forcing thousands of evacuations.

(Image: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A wildfire tearing through mountains near Los Angeles has forced thousands of evacuations. The Canyon Fire ignited at around 1.30pm local time (9.30pm BST) and ravaged over 2.3 square miles (six square kilometers) in five hours.

Ventura County emergency response said none of the blaze had been contained on Thursday and the inferno was spreading eastwards. The fire is burning just south of Lake Piru, a reservoir in Los Padres National Forest. It is close to Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area already burned by a wildfire in January.

The Hughes Fire burned about 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) in six hours and put 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings.

In LA County, about 4,200 residents and 1,400 buildings are under an evacuation order. Another 12,500 residents are subject to an evacuation warning, according to Andrew Dowd, a spokesperson for the Venture County Fire Department.

Firefighters head towards the fire

A California Department of Corrections fire crew on their way to battle the Canyon Fire.

(Image: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A firefighter is surrounded by flames while tackling the fire

A total of 250 firefighters have been on the ground coordinating with helicopters and other air support.

(Image: Getty Images)

A line of firefighters attempt to put out flames on a hillside

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, warned residents: "Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed."

(Image: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Firefighters are shrouded in smoke as they aim a hose at flames by the side of a road

California is already in the grip of another wildfire. The Gifford Fire had spread to 154 square miles by Thursday. Image shows firefighters tackling the Canyon Fire.

(Image: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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