Fast-moving Canyon fire spurs evacuations in Ventura and L.A. counties amid scorching heat wave

Grace Toohey and Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times on Aug 7, 2025

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LOS ANGELES — A rapidly growing wildfire straddling the Ventura-Los Angeles county line Thursday afternoon triggered evacuations in and around Piru and Castaic amid a major heat wave that officials warned could foster extreme fire growth and behavior.

The Canyon fire was initially reported to be about 30 acres, but within about two hours that estimate jumped to just over 1,000 acres, according to Ventura County officials.

The blaze broke out around 2 p.m. Pacific time near Holser Canyon Road, northeast of Piru — a small, unincorporated town not far from Castaic Junction, where Interstate 5 meets Highway 126, according to Ventura County officials.

Officials said the fire appeared to be headed away from Piru but was moving East toward Interstate 5 in L.A. County, threatening the communities of Halsley Canyon, Val Verde and Hathaway Ranch as well as power lines in the area.

Both the Ventura and Los Angeles County fire departments were responding to the scene, where crews were facing temperatures up to 100 degrees with wind gusts up to 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office. Around 150 firefighters, along with 11 fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters, were working to battle the fire, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

In Ventura County, evacuation orders were issued for the Lake Piru Recreation area as well as the communities of Camulos and Piru. In L.A. County, evacuation orders were issued for the communities of Del Valle, Val Verde, Hasley Canyon and Castaic. Several surrounding areas were also under evacuation warnings.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Santa Clarita Valley, urged residents to heed evacuation alerts.

“Extreme heat and low humidity in our north county have created dangerous conditions where flames can spread with alarming speed,” Barger said in a statement. “If first responders tell you to leave, go—without hesitation. The Eaton Fire showed us how quickly devastation can strike.”

An evacuation center was opened in the East Gymnasium of the College of the Canyons, at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita.

Barger issued a local emergency proclamation shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday to enable L.A. County to expedite the deployment of resources to assist residents and combat the fire.

“Our priority is to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure, and this proclamation will help ensure that we have the tools and support necessary to meet the urgent needs of our communities,” she said in a statement.

Lake Piru Recreation Area is closed until further notice, as is Piru Canyon Road, which connects the town of Piru to the lake.

The Canyon fie is the fourth major blaze in the region in recent days, including the Gifford fire burning across the Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo county line. That fire, which ignited last week, is now California’s largest this year at more than 98,000 acres.