LOS ANGELES
A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire exploded in size Thursday in the foothills north of Los Angeles, burning multiple homes and forcing more than 10,000 residents to flee under mandatory evacuation orders.
The wildfire, dubbed the Canyon Fire, grew from 500 acres to more than 8,000 acres in less than six hours, driven by 45 mph desert gusts.
Fire officials confirmed that at least 12 structures have been destroyed, though teams have not yet been able to fully assess the damage due to extreme heat and erratic fire behavior.
“The fire is moving faster than we can safely position our crews,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Robert Vance said at an afternoon news conference. “Our absolute priority right now is life safety and getting people out of harm’s way.”
The governor declared a state of emergency for the region, authorizing immediate state funding and National Guard assistance to support local first responders.
More than 600 firefighters, aided by water-dropping helicopters and air tankers, are working in temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit to establish containment lines.
Evacuation centers have been set up at two local high schools, where Red Cross volunteers are assisting displaced residents.
Emergency officials expect the evacuation orders to remain in place through the weekend as hot, dry conditions are forecast to persist.
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