The Canyon Fire, burning along the Ventura-Los Angeles county line, had scorched 4,856 acres by August 7, 2025.
The wildfire near Lake Piru in Southern California exploded from 50 acres to over 1,000 acres in just a few hours. This prompts necessary evacuations and poses a threat to nearby communities.
Around 2 p.m. near Holster Canyon Road, the fire began which was then fueled by extreme heat and dry weather.
Within an hour, the fire had affected nearly 200 acres, and around 4 p.m. it had crossed 1,000 acres.
The wildfire was then accelerated by strong wind and steep terrain that made it spread eastward toward Castaic and Interstate 5. Due to the catastrophic situation, the hotspot in Piru, Val Verde, and surrounding areas were evacuated.
Officials have ordered evacuation orders for areas surrounding Lake Piru Recreation Area
and residents of Oak Canyon and other parts of Los Angeles County are advised to stay cautious.
Around 2,700 people have been evacuated safely while 14,000 are under threat as flames approach the Santa Clarita Valley.
To combat, firefighters have deployed water-dropping aircraft using Lake Piru to refill helicopters battling the flames.
The fire is one of at least four active wildfires in Southern California amid a severe heatwave.
Over the year, the number of wildfires has increased this year, reaching almost 4,400 fires in California.
In 2023, the figure was 3,800 by this time.
The consequences of the fire have also had a more devastating effect than last year as 221,100 acres have already been destroyed surpassing the burned acreage of last year.
The cause of the fire has not been determined yet. However, it follows a devastating start in 2024, when wildfires burned 50,000 acres, destroyed 18,000 structures, and killed 30 people.
