Fast-moving fires erupted across California on Wednesday as the state was lashed by powerful winds that complicated firefighting efforts, necessitated power shutoffs and raised the danger for more ignitions.
Just hours after igniting in Ventura county, the Mountain fire rapidly swept through more than 10,000 acres as flames jumped into rural and residential communities tucked close to the burning hillsides, leaving devastation in its wake.
“It has hopscotched over several ridgelines and is now burning structure to structure in neighborhoods,” climate scientist Daniel Swain said in an online broadcast, calling the event a “suburban fire storm” that could rank among the most destructive in California this year. “And the fire is still spreading.”
Fueled by gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h), the fire spewed flames and embers up to 2.5 miles (4km) out, making it difficult and dangerous to fight. Every firefighting resource in the area has been thrown at the fire, according to the Ventura county fire chief, Dustin Gardner, who added that is is “still moving at a dangerous rate of spread”. By Wednesday evening, the fire remained at 0% containment.
Strong autumn winds are common in the state, but paired with low humidity and parched hillsides coated in dead and dying vegetation that was cooked in summer heatwaves, this region was primed to burn.
Although officials have yet to confirm the total number of homes and other buildings destroyed by the fire, aerial footage showed rows of charred destruction where neighborhoods once stood and initial estimates are in the dozens.
Throughout the day, emergency response officials raced through neighborhoods to ensure homes that lay in the fires path were evacuated and aid those who had yet to leave. Footage posted on social media shows officers rushing to push wheelchair-bound seniors from their homes under a darkened sky during a frenzied escape.
Burning buildings could also be seen, along with howling winds and large plumes of smoke, as cars and trucks carrying large horse trailers fled under orange skies. Along with residents and businesses who rushed to evacuate, the National Weather Service office that serves the Los Angeles area was forced to leave its Oxnard office as the fire surged closer.
Officials said that several individuals had already been injured and transported to local hospitals, and that ambulances were called to the scene for firefighters, but no details were shared.
“Firefighters were, right off the bat, engaged in pulling people out of their houses and saving lives,” said Ventura county fire department captain Trevor Johnson during a Wednesday afternoon news conference. Crews were grappling with poor visibility from smoke, navigating downed power lines and gas lines on fire along with erratic flames fanned by furious winds.
“This is as intense as it gets. The hair on the back of the firefighters’ neck, I’m sure, was standing up,” Johnson said.
Officials warned this week that conditions were particularly dangerous, especially in southern California where the landscapes were dry.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of “extremely critical” fire conditions unfolding throughout the day and extended warnings through Thursday morning for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. “Damaging wind gusts of 60mph combining with humidities around 10%+critically dry fuels!!” the agency added in a post on X, urging residents to be prepared and to use extreme caution with potential ignition sources.
With predicted gusts between 50 and 100mph (80 and 161km/h) and humidity levels as low as 8%, parts of southern California could experience conditions ripe for “extreme and life-threatening” fire behavior into Thursday, the weather service said.
Officials in several counties urged residents – especially those in coastal, valley and mountain areas – to be on watch for fast-spreading blazes, power outages and downed trees amid the latest round of notorious Santa Ana winds.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company cut power to tens of thousands of accounts across the state in an attempt to limit possible ignitions during the dangerous conditions.
Roughly 63,370 customers could also be affected across several counties, including in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara, by planned shutoffs issued by Southern California Edison to mitigate wildfire risks. The company reported that another 228,000 more were at risk of losing power through Thursday, due to the dangerous conditions.
Forecasters have also issued red flag warnings until Thursday from California’s central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into counties to the north.
Sustained winds of 30mph (50km'/h) are expected in many areas, with possible gusts topping 55mph (90km/h) along mountaintops, according to the weather service office in San Francisco.
Two additional fires ignited in California on Wednesday, including one in Malibu that forced evacuations and reportedly burned at least one structure.
As risks for spreading fire and new ignitions remain high into Thursday and for some areas through the end of the week, the disasters still unfolding in the state showcased the state’s year-round fire season.
“This is a classic Santa Ana wind event,” Gardner said, noting that the dangerous conditions were expected and prepared for. “Our firefighters and law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can,” he added, urging residents to take heed and follow orders given by those trying to protect them. With fires like these, moments make an enormous difference.
“When you get an evacuation order from the sheriff, leave” he said. “Your homes can be replaced – your lives can’t.”
The Associated Press contributed to reporting
