Updated Aug 8, 2025 - Energy & Climate

Canyon Fire forces thousands to evacuate in LA, Ventura counties

Rebecca Falconer

Three firefighters in yellow gear spraying water on an intense orange wildfire engulfing trees near a house and a small shed. — Firefighters on Aug. 7 battle the Canyon Fire in Castaic, California, which was burning out of control over 600 acres into the evening. Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images

A Southern California wildfire forced thousands in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to evacuate and a local emergency proclamation was issued after it ignited and exploded in size during a searing heat wave on Thursday.

The big picture: The Canyon Fire near Lake Piru, a reservoir some 60 miles northwest of downtown LA, was first reported just before 1:30pm local time to be around 30 acres, per Cal Fire. It had grown to more than 1,000 acres in a few hours and was still burning out of control into the evening.

Two firefighters with helmets hold a fire hose as they battle a large wildfire in dry, grassy terrain with intense orange flames and thick smoke. — Evacuation warnings have been issued from the LA County line to northwest of Lake Piru. Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images

Two vehicles on a road near dry brown hills with a large plume of smoke rising against a clear blue sky, indicating a fire in the distance. — Smoke rises on Henry Mayo Drive as the Canyon Fire burns on Aug. 7 in Piru. Nearby roads have been closed due to the fire. Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images

Large clouds of thick smoke rising from a wildfire burning in dry hills with sparse vegetation and two electrical transmission towers visible. — The LA County Board of Supervisors issued an emergency proclamation in response to the Canyon Fire. Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images

American flag flying at half-mast on a flagpole against a background of thick, dark smoke and a clear blue sky above. — Temperatures in the area have reached 95-100°F with 15%-20% humidity amid southwesterly 8-15 mph winds gusting to 25 mph, per an X post from the National Weather Service's LA office. Photo: Luke Hales/Getty Images

Firefighting airplane releasing a large plume of bright red fire retardant over dry, rugged mountain terrain under a clear blue sky. — Hot, dry and windy weather that helps wildfires spread is becoming more common across much of the U.S. amid climate change, research shows. Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images

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Editor's note: This article has been updated with further details on the fire and more photos.

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Canyon Fire forces thousands to evacuate in LA, Ventura counties

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