California faces extreme wildfire risk due to powerful winds and low humidity | California

Fast-moving fires erupted across California on Wednesday as the state was lashed by powerful winds that complicated firefighting efforts, spurred power shutoffs and raised the dangers for more ignitions.

Evacuations were ordered in Ventura county, in a mountainous area to the north-west of Los Angeles, as an explosive blaze called the Mountain fire swept through thousands of acres. The fire ignited Wednesday morning and was fueled by gusts of wind of up to 70mph (113km/h).

The fire was mapped at roughly 8,882 acres by Wednesday afternoon – an enormous spread just four hours after it ignited – as flames jumped into rural and residential communities tucked close to the burning hillsides. With 0% containment, officials called for more firefighting resources from LA county.

Buildings could be seen ablaze in videos posted on social media, along with howling winds, large plumes of smoke and orange skies, as cars and trucks carrying large horse trailers rushed to escape. Officials shared that several individuals had already been injured and transported to local hospitals.

By early afternoon the fire jumped the 118 Highway and was close to the 101 as numerous structures remained under threat.

“Due to extreme wind conditions, fixed-wing aircraft are unable to assist in firefighting efforts,” officials with the Ventura county fire department said in an update. “Ground crews, helicopters and mutual aid resources are actively working to protect lives and property.”

Along with residents and businesses who rushed to evacuate, the National Weather Service office that serves the Los Angeles area was forced to leave its Oxnard office as the fire surged closer.

Strong autumn wind events are common in the state, but National Weather Service officials warned this week that conditions were particularly dangerous, especially in southern California where parched landscapes are primed to burn.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of “extremely critical” fire conditions unfolding throughout the day and extended warnings through Thursday morning for parts of LA and Ventura counties. “Damaging wind gusts of 60mph combining with humidities around 10%+critically dry fuels!!” the agency added in a post on X, urging residents to be prepared and to use extreme caution with potential ignition sources.

With predicted gusts between 50 and 100mph (80 and 161km/h) and humidity levels as low as 8%, parts of southern California could experience conditions ripe for “extreme and life-threatening” fire behavior into Thursday, the weather service said.

Officials in several counties urged residents – especially those in coastal, valley and mountain areas – to be on watch for fast-spreading blazes, power outages and downed trees amid the latest round of notorious Santa Ana winds.

Meanwhile, Pacific Gas and Electric Company cut the power to tens of thousands of accounts across the state in an attempt to limit possible ignitions during the dangerous conditions. Roughly 46,000 customers were also without power across several counties, including in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara, after Southern California Edison issued planned shutoffs to mitigate wildfire risks. The company reported that another 228,000 more were at risk of losing power through Thursday, due to the dangerous conditions.

Forecasters have also issued red flag warnings until Thursday from California’s central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into counties to the north.

Sustained winds of 30mph are expected in many areas, with possible gusts topping 55mph along mountaintops, according to the weather service office in San Francisco.

The Associated Press contributed to reporting