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Thousands under evacuation orders in California as wildfires destroy homes

Countless people were under evacuation orders in Southern California as fast moving wildfires engulfed homes, authorities stated, with the National Weather Service releasing a warning alert that described the scenario as particularly hazardous.

Video shot by an eyewitness revealed citizens rushing to leave their homes in the city of Camarillo as thick smoke blanketed the sky above. Footage also showed houses and automobiles completely engulfed in flames.

The Mountain Fire was spread over 14,000 acres with at least 800 firefighters assigned to managing it, the fire department in Ventura County, located northwest of Los Angeles, said. It had requested extra helicopters to help in its efforts to tackle the circumstance, it included.

A minimum of 2 individuals were injured and several structures were damaged or damaged by the fire in Ventura County, the fire department said on Wednesday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated the Mountain Fire prompted evacuation orders for over 10,000 individuals and threatened 3,500 structures.

Schools in Ventura County, were closed through Friday due to the fires, according to the county's workplace of education.

The fire broadened in size on Wednesday after powerful winds entered contact with very dry air.

Southern California Edison began shutting off power to clients in locations where its equipment was considered at high risk of stimulating a wildfire, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The United States is experiencing a strong wildfire year with 8.1 million acres burned to date, compared to an annual, full-year average of around 7 million acres over the last decade, according to National Interagency Fire Center data.

California wildfires have so far this year burned more than 3 times as much land as in 2015 at this time when the state's fire season was more benign, according to Cal Fire data.

(source: Reuters)