A fierce brush fire ignited Thursday near Lake Piru in Ventura County and, driven by heat and dry vegetation, quickly crossed into Los Angeles County. By Friday morning, the Canyon Fire had burned 4,856 acres and remained completely uncontained, according to Cal Fire.
The blaze began in a remote, rugged area east of Lake Piru and accelerated under extreme Southern California heat. Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings were issued for surrounding communities. While parts of the Val Verde zone had their orders downgraded overnight, large swaths near Lake Piru — including areas by Telegraph Road — remain under evacuation.
Video from the scene captured at least one structure in flames, though officials have yet to confirm the number of properties lost. Fire crews from Ventura and Los Angeles counties, aided by Angeles National Forest personnel, are engaged in an aggressive containment effort. No injuries have been reported, and the cause is still unknown.
In response, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger declared a local emergency Thursday to expedite firefighting resources. She urged residents to leave when ordered, warning against complacency. “The Eaton Fire taught us how fast devastation can strike,” she said, stressing that human safety outweighs property concerns.
