Thousands Flee Calif. Wildfires
A fast-growing wildfire, whipped by gusty winds and extremely dry conditions, forced evacuation of neighborhoods and a state university and closed a stretch of the coast highway northwest of Los Angeles.
Early Friday morning, the blaze was still raging and about 10% contained, local fire officials reported. And thousands of people from hundreds of homes have fled as the wildfire pushed toward the ocean.
More than 8,000 acres of rugged, brush-covered terrain were burned by the fire that began during the morning rush hour near a major highway and commuter route into Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley on Thursday.
California State University-Channel Islands, a school with nearly 5,000 students that opened in 2002, was evacuated. The Ventura County Fire Department said it had sent 20 fire engines to the campus to protect buildings.