Laguna Fire breaks out near California State University campus: See map.
The Ventura County fire just north of Los Angeles was initially estimated to be 3 acres, but has since burned 50 acres before crews managed to stop forward progress. But winds continue to threaten.
A new brushfire that started just north of Los Angeles prompted evacuation orders and rattled the nerves of the fire-ravaged region.
The Laguna Fire broke out Thursday morning near California State University's Channel Islands campus near Camarillo, according to Ventura County Star, part of the Paste BN Network. The fire was initially estimated to be about 3 acres, but it grew to about 50 acres before firefighters were able to stop forward progress.
While areas near the Laguna Fire were under evacuation orders, they've since been downgraded to evacuation warnings.
The blaze came on the heels of the Hughes Fire, which broke out Wednesday, sent thousands fleeing their homes and quickly charred over 10,000 acres before crews made some progress and evacuation orders were lifted or downgraded.
The region has been beleaguered by wildfires since Jan. 7, when thousands of homes were destroyed by the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which have killed at least 28 people.
The Laguna and Hughes fires this week come as Los Angeles and Ventura Counties remain under a red flag warning due to "critical fire conditions," according to the National Weather Service. The cause of both blazes are under investigation.
Laguna Fire Map
Other wildfires in California
Cal Fire is also tracking the following fires:
- Palisades Fire- Los Angeles County, 23,448 acres, 70% contained
- Eaton Fire- Los Angeles County, 14,021 acres, 95% contained
- Hughes Fire- Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, 10,176 acres, 24% contained
- Sepulveda Fire- Los Angeles County, 40 acres, 0% contained
- Clay Fire- Riverside County, 39 acres, 65% contained
See below for a map of the latest blaze that's concerning authorities.
California wildfire evacuations and warnings
Fire weather persists
Winds gusts between 35 to 45 mph, and low humidity can contribute to fire growth, according to the weather service.
"Please follow any evacuation orders," the weather service in Los Angeles said in a post on X on Thursday morning. "This is a dangerous situation."
The area is forecast to remain under a red flag warning until Friday, at 10 a.m.. A wind advisory will remain in effect until 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Contributing: Ernesto Centeno Araujo; Ventura County Star
Julia is a trending reporter for Paste BN. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com