California wildfire fueled by strong winds spreads to 10,000 acres, forcing evacuations

Injuries were reported and homes threatened in a wildfire in Southern California that started Wednesday and quickly spread to more than 10,000 acres due to strong winds, officials said.

The mountain fire in Ventura County triggered evacuation orders, and the fire grew amid what firefighters called a significant wind event in Santa Ana, increasing the fire danger for the region.

The fire started at 8:51 a.m. local time, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. It was zero percent contained, the agency called Cal Fire said.

Strong winds prevented fixed-wing aircraft from helping fight the fire, the Ventura County Fire Department said.

“Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid personnel are actively working to protect life and property,” a department spokesperson said on X.

The spokesman said several people were injured and taken to hospitals.

The fire spread to State Route 118 and part of it was closed due to fires on both sides of the highway, the California Department of Transportation said. The highway was closed from Santa Clara Avenue to Tierra Rejada Road.