Thousands evacuated as California wildfires rage north of Los Angeles
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Thousands have been evacuated as the Canyon Fire burns nearly 5,000 acres north of Los Angeles.
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A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, north of the Brentwood neighborhood, on Saturday in Los Angeles. (Jae C. Hong/AP)
Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate as fast-moving California wildfires burn through mountainous terrain north of Los Angeles, with officials reporting that nearly 5,000 acres have already been scorched.
The latest wildfire, dubbed the Canyon Fire, broke out in dry, brush-covered areas straddling the Los Angeles and Ventura counties, prompting evacuation orders for at least ten zones. As of late Thursday, 2,700 people had been displaced, according to Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson Andrew Dowd.
Dowd confirmed that the Canyon Fire had consumed approximately 4,856 acres and remained zero percent contained by Thursday night. More than 400 emergency personnel have been deployed in an effort to stop the spread, which has been accelerated by extreme heat and dry conditions.
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a public appeal urging residents to take evacuation orders seriously.
"The #CanyonFire is spreading fast under extreme heat & dry conditions near Ventura–LA County line," she posted on X. "If you're in Santa Clarita, Hasley Canyon, or Val Verde, take evacuation orders seriously—when first responders say GO, leave immediately. Keep aware—please don't risk lives."
The #CanyonFire is spreading fast under extreme heat & dry conditions near Ventura–LA County line. If you’re in Santa Clarita, Hasley Canyon, or Val Verde, take evacuation orders seriously — when first responders say GO, leave immediately. Keep aware--please don’t risk lives. pic.twitter.com/2sHfVG63pq
— Supervisor Kathryn Barger (@kathrynbarger) August 7, 2025
State battles largest wildfire of 2025
The Canyon Fire is one of several wildfires currently threatening the region. Fire crews are also battling the largest wildfire in California this year, which has been raging for over a week in the Los Padres National Forest. That blaze has already scorched more than 99,000 acres and continues to threaten hundreds of homes.
The fires come on the heels of a major July blaze that burned over 70,000 acres and required massive firefighting efforts to contain. At the time, officials cited dry brush, strong winds, and sustained high temperatures as key contributing factors.
The recent wave of California wildfires in 2025 has stoked growing concerns over the state’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions and the broader environmental toll. Earlier this week, Swiss Re, a reinsurance firm based in Zurich, reported that natural disasters, including the Los Angeles wildfires, have caused $135 billion in global economic losses in the first half of the year alone.
The mounting destruction has placed increased focus on climate-related risks and emergency preparedness, as fire-prone regions brace for a potentially devastating wildfire season.
