Evacuations ordered for fast-burning fire near Ventura, L.A. county border

Multiple locations are under evacuation orders near Piru in Ventura County due to a fast-moving brush fire that has scorched more than 1,000 acres.

The Canyon Fire is burning near Lake Piru, leading to mandatory evacuations in nearby communities and broader evacuation warnings in eastern Ventura County and parts of Los Angeles County.

The fire was first reported just after 1:30 p.m., exploding from 200 acres by 3 p.m. to more than 1,000 acres an hour later, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuations are in place in the areas immediately adjacent to the Lake, with warnings extending to the communities of Piru and Castaic Junction.

The fire is continuing to burn east toward Val Verde, which is located in the Santa Clarita Valley in Los Angeles County. Fire officials say it’s burning in medium brush and steep terrain, and spreading at a rapid rate.

Multiple evacuations have been ordered in Ventura County, with the area northwest and northeast of Lake Piru under evacuation warnings. Evacuation orders and warnings have also been issued for parts of Los Angeles County, including Oak Canyon and Val Verde.

The Angeles National Forest is providing air support to help battle the blaze, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department is also contributing, working in unified command with the Ventura County Fire Department.

More than 150 fire personnel, 11 fixed-wing planes and seven helicopters are assigned to the fire between the various partner agencies.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the hot conditions are contributing to its growth, especially on Thursday, the expected hottest day of the heat wave.

For an interactive map of evacuation warnings and orders, click here.