A massive wildfire ignited in Southern California on Wednesday, intensified by fierce winds, has already destroyed several homes and forced over 10,000 residents to evacuate. Firefighters are working around the clock to bring the blaze under control.

The Mountain Fire, which started in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, has scorched over 20,000 acres. As of Thursday evening, the fire was only 5% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Evacuation zones were expanded Thursday, now covering 12 areas, with officials focusing on the northeast region of the fire, close to Santa Paula. Fire Captain Trevor Johnson stated that this is where the fire is moving most aggressively.

Injuries and Property Loss

Authorities confirmed that at least 10 people have been injured so far, with several suffering from smoke inhalation. Thankfully, none of the injuries appear life-threatening.

Over 400 homes have been evacuated, and 250 residents chose to stay behind. Emergency crews also checked on nearly 800 additional homes that were unoccupied.

“The devastation we’re seeing is truly heartbreaking,” said Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.

On-site damage assessments are underway, with early reports indicating that 132 structures—most of them homes—have been destroyed. Another 88 structures were damaged. Fire officials stressed that the damage assessment process is slow due to the need for safety checks to ensure no further risks, such as gas leaks or electrical hazards.

“This is a careful and slow process. We need to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” said firefighter Andy VanSciver.

Fire Threatens Thousands of Buildings

The fire has threatened over 3,500 structures, including homes and businesses, as it continues to spread. Governor Gavin Newsom visited the area Thursday and was briefed on the damage and firefighting efforts by local authorities.

Firefighters are contending with challenging conditions, battling flames that are spreading faster than usual due to high winds and dry conditions. Ventura County officials have warned that the fire is moving at a dangerously rapid pace.

“Bushes, grass, agricultural fields, and structures are all burning,” said Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “This is a very fast-moving fire, and we are doing everything we can to contain it.”

To prevent new fires from starting, officials have proactively shut off power in some areas, and over 50,000 residents have been affected by the outages.

Ranch Owner Escapes with Horses

Hilda Gurney, an 81-year-old ranch owner, had just begun her usual morning routine when the fire arrived. Gurney, who has owned Keenridge Farms since the 1970s, quickly realized that she had to evacuate. She managed to bring her horses to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, where other evacuees have gathered.

“The fire was right on our heels. We just barely made it out in time,” said Gurney, a two-time Olympic equestrian competitor.

Despite fearing the worst for her ranch, Gurney was relieved to hear from a fellow rancher that her property had survived.

“I’m just hoping my home is still standing when I get back,” she said.

Weather Relief on the Way, But Fire Risk Remains

Meteorologists are forecasting a slight reduction in the winds that have been fueling the fire. Dr. Ariel Cohen from the National Weather Service reported that red flag warnings—signaling extreme fire risk—are expected to expire later Thursday. However, the warnings will continue for mountainous regions until Friday morning.

As the winds subside, increased humidity could help firefighters contain the blaze. Yet, forecasters are warning of a weak to moderate Santa Ana wind event expected early next week, which could raise fire risk once again.

Firefighters Face Challenging Terrain

Firefighters are encountering tough conditions, particularly in the northeastern part of the fire, where the terrain is rugged and steep. Fire Captain Johnson noted that the area is difficult to access, requiring aircraft support to contain the flames.

“The fire is in an extremely challenging location,” Johnson said. “It’s steep, rocky terrain that only our most experienced firefighters can safely access. We’re using air support to help control the spread of the fire.”

Additionally, the high winds are causing embers to travel as far as three miles, making it even harder for firefighters to contain the blaze and prevent it from jumping to other areas.

Fire Chief: ‘We Are Committed to the Community’

Many firefighters have been working non-stop for 36 hours, showing immense dedication. Fire Chief Gardner praised their relentless efforts, saying, “It’s incredible what these responders are doing under these conditions.”

In the days ahead, emergency teams will continue to assist residents when it’s safe for them to return. Community liaisons will be available to help with heavy lifting, sorting through belongings, and providing support.

“We will be with this community until the very end,” Chief Gardner assured.