Thousands Evacuated as California Firefighters Battle Canyon Fire

A wildfire in Southern California sparked early Thursday evening and grew quickly in size overnight. Hundreds of firefighters continue to fight the new Canyon Fire that has spread to around 5,370 acres.

The blaze started in a rural area east of Lake Piru in Ventura County. From there it spread exponentially, traveling east and into Los Angeles County and toward the San Fernando Valley and neighboring Santa Clarita.

As of Friday afternoon, 400 firefighters have worked to get the Canyon Fire to 25% containment. No injuries and minimal damage has been reported, with only one home and a nearby shed being destroyed by the blaze so far.

Thousands of Californians in Val Verde, Sloan Hillcrest, and neighboring Lake Piru communities are being forced to evacuate their homes. A temporary shelter was been established for those affected at the College of the Canyon's East Gymnasium in Santa Clarita.

The new Canyon Fire across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties comes just eight months after a series of wildfires devastated Southern California. The Canyon Fire at Lake Piru is less than 60 miles northwest of the city of Los Angeles.

The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Firefighters are expected to continue to contain the fire, but high temperatures and low humidity could cause further issues on the dry mountainside terrain.

Wildfire Season

The Canyon Fire is just one of many currently spreading across California and the southwestern United States. The Gifford Fire, the largest fire in California this year, is currently spreading across the Los Padres National Forest and has burned more than 100,000 acres.

Meanwhile in Arizona, the Dragon Bravo Fire has been scorching the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon since July 4. This fire has burned over 130,000 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

Related: New Info Shows True Deadly Scope of Los Angeles Wildfires

Related: Beloved Piece of Grand Canyon History Miraculously Survives Deadly Wildfires

Thousands Evacuated as California Firefighters Battle Canyon Fire first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 8, 2025