Fast-growing brush fire forces evacuations in Ventura, LA counties amid scorching heat wave

Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times on Aug 7, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

LOS ANGELES — A rapidly growing wildfire straddling the Ventura-Los Angeles County line Thursday afternoon triggered evacuations in and around Piru and Castaic amid a major heat wave that officials warned could foster extreme fire growth and behavior.

The Canyon fire was initially reported to be about 30 acres, but within about two hours that estimate had jumped to just over 1,000 acres, according to Ventura County officials.

The blaze broke out around 2 p.m. Pacific time near Holser Canyon Road, northeast of Piru — a small, unincorporated town not far from Castaic Junction, where Interstate 5 meets Highway 126, according to Ventura County officials. But it quickly spread eastward, threatening the communities of Val Verde and Hasley Canyon.

Both the Ventura and Los Angeles County fire departments were responding to the scene, where crews were facing temperatures up to 100 degrees with wind gusts up to 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office.

Ventura County officials issued evacuation orders for the Lake Piru Recreation Area, as well as communities south into Piru and east to the L.A. County line. A few communities west of Castaic in L.A. County were also ordered to evacuate just before 4 p.m., according to county evacuation maps. Several surrounding areas were also under evacuation warnings.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Santa Clarita Valley, urged residents to heed evacuation alerts.

“Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed,” Barger said in a statement. “If first responders tell you to leave, go — without hesitation. The Eaton fire showed us how quickly devastation can strike. It is never worth risking your life, the lives of your loved ones and pets, or the safety of those working to protect you.”

Officials said the fire appeared to be headed away from Piru but was moving east, making its way toward Interstate 5 in L.A. County, threatening several nearby communities as well as power lines in the area.

More than 100 firefighters and seven helicopters were responding.

The Canyon fire is the fourth major blaze in the region in recent days, including the Gifford fire burning across the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo county line. That fire, which ignited last week, is now California’s largest this year at more than 98,000 acres.