Fire crews on Thursday were battling a wildfire that sprang up in Southern California stoked by strong winds, destroying multiple homes and forcing over 10,000 people to flee.

The fast-moving Mountain Fire, which started in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles on Wednesday morning, has burned 20,596 acres and was 5% contained as of 6:32 p.m. PT, according to the state wildfire-fighting agency Cal Fire.

The evacuation area was expanded Thursday morning and now includes 12 zones. Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson said suppression efforts are focused on the northeast section of the blaze, close to the city of Santa Paula.

Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said 10 injuries have been confirmed, including several from smoke inhalation. None appeared to be life-threatening.

More than 400 homes were evacuated Thursday, Fryhoff said, and 250 residents chose to stay. First responders visited about 800 additional homes where no one was present.

“The devastation is absolutely heartbreaking,” Fryhoff said.

Ten damage inspection teams were in the field Thursday, officials said. The teams found 132 structures were destroyed — many of them homes — while 88 were damaged. Officials did not say how many additional homes were to be inspected.

“This is a slow process because we have to make sure that the properties are safe,” said firefighter Andy VanSciver, a spokesman for Ventura County Fire. He stressed that assessment team members have to ensure gas lines, electrical lines, and other hazards are not harmful.

Evacuation orders will remain in place through Thursday, the county said, adding that at least 800 firefighters from across the state were battling the blaze and more are expected. 

Wildfire smoke map: Track fires and red flag warnings across the US

Fire threatens thousands of homes, other buildings

Reporters and photographers with the Ventura County Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, witnessed homes burning throughout the day near Camarillo and Somis.

The fire was threatening over 3,500 structures, Gov. Gavin Newsom said. Newsom visited the area Thursday and was briefed on the damage and efforts to battle the fire, Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell said on the X platform.

Photos show firefighters working in huge plumes of smoke and houses completely engulfed, some leveled by the fire.

“Bushes are burning, grass is burning, hedgerows are burning, agricultural fields are burning, and structures are burning,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “This fire is moving dangerously fast.”

Ventura County officials said power might be proactively shut off to prevent any new fires from sparking during these conditions, and over 50,000 customers were impacted as of late Thursday.

Ranch owner escapes with dozens of horses

Hilda Gurney got up just before 4:30 a.m. Thursday like she normally does. She was riding a horse by 6 a.m.

“Then the weather started going south,” said Gurney, 81, who has owned Keenridge Farms since the 1970s.

The sky grew thick with smoke and flames. The fire came over the hill. Gurney, a two-time Olympian in the equestrian competition of dressage, knew she had to leave.

“There was no choice,” she said. “We just barely beat the fire.”

Gurney brought her horses to the evacuation stables at Ventura County Fairgrounds, feeding them hay and handing out pizza delivered by a Good Samaritan. She said she worried about her ranch, concluding at one point it was most likely gone. But she met someone from another ranch who said Keenridge was still standing Thursday morning, offering her a glimpse of hope.

“I hope I will be home tomorrow,” she said.

– Ventura County Star

Milder weather on the horizon

Dr. Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard office, said that winds are starting to subside after the agency issued “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warnings.

About 26 million people across California were under red flag warnings earlier Thursday, with many expiring by 6 p.m. PT. The National Weather Service said warnings remained in place for the mountains until 11 a.m. Friday, when winds are expected to subside. Cohen said onshore winds soon after will bring up relative humidity.

But a weak to moderate Santa Ana wind event is expected early to middle of next week, Cohen said, which could raise fire risk.

Firefighters battle tough landscape

Firefighters are grappling with treacherous terrain on the northeast part of the blaze, which has become their focus.

“The fire there is in a tricky place,” Johnson said at a news conference. “It’s rugged, steep ground that only our finest firefighters can even access to work in there. So we have aircraft working there to pin it down. They’re coming up with multiple options.’’

Drew Smith, assistant chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said the strong winds can carry embers for up to three miles, making it much harder to contain the blaze.

“These fires when we’re on our high-risk days of Santa Ana winds are different from when we have our fires during the summer that are not in a wind-dominated fire environment,’’ Smith said.

Fire chief: ‘We will stay with our community until the very end’

Some firefighters worked 36 straight hours since the blaze ignited Wednesday, the fire chief said late Thursday.

“That’s a feat of human strength,” Gardner said.

He added that first responders will be in the community for the days ahead to assist residents when it is safe to return to their homes. The community liaisons will be in pickup trucks and available to help people with heavy lifting, sifting through belongings, and offering support.

“We will stay with our community until the very end and through this all,” Gardner said.

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; The Ventura County Star

(This story was updated to add new information.)