A wildfire straddling Ventura and Los Angeles counties that initially erupted and spread quickly did not appear to grow overnight and remained without any containment, according to fire officials on Friday, Aug. 8.
The Canyon fire, which sparked amid scorching summer temperatures near Holser Canyon north of the community of Piru just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Aug. 7, had been spreading toward Castaic in Los Angeles County, Ventura County officials said.
Friday morning, the fire officially remained at an estimated 4,856 acres, officials said.
“Throughout the evening and into the early morning hours, firefighting aircraft made repeated water and retardant drops in an effort to slow the fire’s advance and support crews working on the ground,” officials said in a 6:30 a.m. update.
As of Thursday afternoon, roughly 40 fire engines, 20 hand crews, three water tenders, four bulldozers and 11 helicopters had been deployed to the Canyon fire. Friday morning, 250 personnel were assigned to the blaze.
Evacuation orders remained, while areas to the northwest and northeast of Lake Piru were under evacuation warnings — meaning people there should be ready to escape if needed.
The fire’s cause was under investigation.
A map of the evacuation zones can be found here.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.