Deadly wildfires force thousands to flee their homes in South California
Strong winds have accelerated the California wildfires (Picture: @VCFD_PIO) Fierce winds have whippe..
Fierce winds have whipped up an explosive wildfire in Southern California.
Thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the blaze that could soon threaten a city of more than 100,000, authorities said.
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The fire broke out on Monday and quickly grew to more than 15 square miles in the hours that followed, consuming vegetation that hasn’t burned in decades, Ventura County Fire Sgt. Eric Buschow said.
Winds continue to push it toward Santa Paula, a city of some 30,000 people about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Most of the thousands force to flee their homes lived in that city.
Authorities said that the city of Ventura, which is 12 miles southwest and has 106,000 residents, was likely to feel the effects soon.
‘The fire growth is just absolutely exponential,’ Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said.
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‘All that firefighters can do when we have winds like this is get out ahead, evacuate people, and protect structures.’
Thomas Aquinas College, a school with about 350 students, has also been evacuated, with students going to their own homes or to those of faculty and staff, the college said in a statement.
One person has died following a vehicle accident thought to be associated with the fire, officials said. They gave no further details.
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At least two structures have burned so far, sheriff’s officials said.
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Winds exceeding 40 mph and gusts over 60 mph have been reported in the area and are expected to continue, the National Weather Service said.
Firefighters and aircraft from neighboring Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties were pouring in to help, though the darkness and winds forced the grounding of planes late Monday night.
Thousands of homes were without power in the area.
