CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — California was lashed by powerful winds Wednesday that fed a fast-moving wildfire, which destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of residents to flee as forecasters warned of the potential for “extreme and life-threatening” blazes.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Mountain Fire, located northwest of Los Angeles, exploded to 10,457 acres (16 square miles) in little more than five hours. The Fire threatened 3,500 structures in suburban communities, ranches, and agricultural areas around Camarillo, prompting evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people.
Two people suffered apparent smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals, fire officials said. No firefighters reported significant injuries.
A helicopter drops water over a burning home in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Flames engulf a structure during the Mountain Fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a house as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on November 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on November 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital.
Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Firefighters spray water on a burning structure during the Mountain Fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A firefighter passes a burning home in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a structure as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on Nov. 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on Nov. 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital…Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A home burns in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Firefighters spray water on a burning structure during the Mountain Fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A house is engulfed in flames as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on Nov. 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on Nov. 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital…Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Flames engulf a structure during the Mountain Fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a structure as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on Nov. 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on Nov. 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital…Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A house is engulfed in flames from the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire, in Camarillo, California, on Nov. 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on Nov. 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital…Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A home burns in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A firefighter attempts to control the blaze burning a house as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on Nov. 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on Nov. 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital…Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A home burns in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A burned vehicle sits among a destroyed home in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A political sign sits in front of a destroyed home in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Burned vehicles sit among a destroyed home in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A home burns in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Firefighters work against the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A firefighter works in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Residents watch a firefighting helicopter flying over the burning hills as the Santa Ana wind-fed Mountain fire scorches acres, in Camarillo, California, on Nov. 6, 2024. A wildfire fanned by powerful winds was burning out of control near Los Angeles on Nov. 6, with scores of residents ordered to evacuate and some taken to hospital…Fierce gusts up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) an hour were pushing smoke sideways and fueling flames that were tearing through farmland. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A helicopter drops water over a burning home in the Mountain fire, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, near Camarillo, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)