Thousands in California are forced to evacuate as wildfires destroy homes

By David Swanson and Kanishka Singh

SANTA PAULA, California (Reuters) – Thousands of people were under evacuation orders in Southern California as fast-spreading wildfires targeted homes, authorities said. The National Weather Service issued an alert describing the situation as “particularly dangerous.”

Video captured by an eyewitness showed residents struggling to evacuate their homes in the city of Camarillo as thick smoke blanketed the sky. Footage also showed houses and cars completely engulfed in flames.

The mountain fire spanned 14,000 acres, with at least 800 firefighters battling it, the fire department in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, said. It has requested additional helicopters to assist in its efforts to deal with the situation, she added.

At least two people were injured and several buildings were damaged or destroyed by the fire in Ventura County, the fire department said Wednesday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the mountain fire triggered evacuation orders for over 10,000 people and threatened 3,500 structures.

Schools in Ventura County were closed until Friday because of the fires, according to the county education department.

The fire grew in size on Wednesday after strong winds combined with very dry air.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Edison in Southern California began shutting off power to customers in areas where his equipment was at risk of starting a wildfire.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the United States is experiencing a strong wildfire year, with 8.1 million acres burned to date, compared to an annual average of about 7 million acres over the last decade.

According to Cal Fire data, wildfires in California have burned more than three times as much land so far this year than last year, when the state's wildfire season was milder.

(Reporting by David Swanson in Santa Paula, Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)