Wind gusts fueling blaze which has burned 14,000 acres in southern California, destroying homes, buildings
A massive wildfire in the state of California has already forced the evacuation of more than 14,000 residents as of Thursday, according to media outlets.
And more than 25 million people in the southern part of the state are under a Red Flag warning for "extreme and life-threatening" fire conditions.
The blaze started Wednesday in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, and quickly scorched more than 14,000 acres of land due to heavy winds with gusts of up to 60 miles per hour (96.5 kilometers per hour), according to fire officials who implored residents to immediately leave their homes.
"When you get that evacuation order, you need to leave, get your family to safety," Ventura County Fire Department Chief Dustin Gardner said at a news conference. "You can replace your stuff. You cannot replace your family members."
"We see it over and over and over: People have the best intentions to stay and defend their home right up until the time the fire hits their home," said Gardner. "And it gets hot, and it gets smoky, you can't see, you can't breathe, and you sure as hell can't defend your home. And then you're stuck, and then our firefighters have to get in, pull you out."
Strong winds combined with extremely dry conditions have southern California ripe for the potential of multiple wildfires to quickly spread, prompting the National Weather (NWS) Service to issue a Red Flag warning for more than 25 million residents. The warning is used to describe "extreme and life-threatening" fire conditions.
"Dangerous fire weather conditions are impacting southern California," NWS wrote on X. "Avoid activities that could spark a wildfire!"
Officials also warned that hazardous smoke could spread into more populated areas and dramatically reduce air quality as the wind direction shifts.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, but officials will conduct an investigation once the fire is contained.
"I could tell you that there could be a million things that start a fire," Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson told reporters. "When a fire like that breaks, we don't initially go to 'What started this?' Our job is to bring stabilization."
No fatalities or missing persons have been reported, but officials said several people were injured and some have been treated for smoke inhalation.
All schools in Ventura County have been closed for the rest of the week.
