Fire crews have made significant strides in containment efforts against the Canyon Fire, which has been burning along the Los Angeles-Ventura county line near Val Verde, west of Castaic. The blaze has swiftly expanded, now encompassing approximately 5,370 acres as of early Friday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
While the size of the fire has increased, containment efforts have improved from 0% to 25% overnight.
A dedicated force of about 400 firefighters, comprising personnel from the Los Angeles and Ventura County fire departments, is actively combating the fire. They are being supported by resources from Angeles National Forest and Cal Fire, as they navigate the challenges posed by soaring temperatures, which remained below triple digits—slightly cooler than conditions on Thursday.
However, gusty winds are expected to develop Friday afternoon, adding complexity to firefighting efforts.
In a dispatch sent by the Ventura County Fire Department at 1:12 p.m. Friday, it was noted that favorable weather conditions have aided firefighters in their mission to suppress the fire. Air support using firefighting aircraft has been instrumental in making repeated water and retardant drops to slow the fire’s spread and assist ground crews.
Despite these efforts, the fire remains active and continues to advance east toward the community of Castaic in Los Angeles County.
Fire officials indicated that helicopter crews conducted water drops through the night from Thursday to Friday, taking full advantage of reduced winds. This strategy has been successful in gaining momentum for containment efforts.
The fire originated around 1:30 p.m. Thursday near Lake Piru in Ventura County and escalated to a second alarm within hours, spreading into Los Angeles County. This rapid growth has necessitated evacuation orders in the Val Verde area.
Current evacuation orders will remain enforced through Friday, with plans for re-evaluation on Saturday morning to determine if conditions permit lifting. Residents are strongly encouraged to comply with official directives, stay informed through reliable emergency channels, and evacuate immediately when instructed.
By Thursday evening, the fire’s size had surged to nearly 5,000 acres. As a result, evacuation warnings were first issued for the Val Verde area, which were subsequently elevated to an evacuation order. This order was later expanded to include parts of Hasley Canyon and other neighborhoods, while additional areas received evacuation warnings.
Some previously issued evacuation orders have since been downgraded to warnings. As of now, one structure has been reported destroyed, although there have been no reports of burned residences or injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. In response to the situation, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the area and serves as the chair of the Board of Supervisors, declared a local emergency on Thursday. This proclamation aims to ensure that all necessary resources are allocated to fight the fire effectively.
Barger has also urged residents in the impacted areas to adhere to evacuation orders.
She emphasized the importance of swift evacuations, highlighting the dangers posed by referring to past incidents like the Eaton Fire, which demonstrated how quickly devastation can occur. Barger stated, “Your safety is my top priority, and swift action saves lives.”
Furthermore, she remarked that ignoring evacuation orders complicates the task for firefighters, forcing them to prioritize lives over property protection.
On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant, which will reimburse a considerable portion of local agencies’ firefighting expenses.
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