Fast-moving wildfire prompts closures at Southern California colleges

A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California that has grown to more than 14,000 acres prompted a Ventura County university to cancel classes and temporarily suspend campus operations as authorities struggle to get the blaze under control.

Officials at Cal State University Channel Islands said the campus remains safe but classes were canceled Thursday and Friday due to the Mountain Fire causing "severe disruptions" and "significant impacts" on community members. Classes are expected to resume on Tuesday.

The Ventura County Community College District said campuses were closed Thursday at Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College.

The fire erupted in Ventura County, immediately west of Los Angeles County, at 8:51 a.m. local time Wednesday and was fueled by what fire officials called a significant Santa Ana wind event. It has grown to 14,187 acres, the Ventura County Fire Department said in a post on X early Thursday morning. At least 800 firefighters were assisting with the blaze.

The cause remains under investigation, according to an incident update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. It was 0% contained.

Numerous structures have been affected by the inferno, the fire department said on X. An evacuation center has been established at Padre Sierra Parish in Camarillo.

A fire department spokesperson said several people were injured and taken to hospitals.

Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson said that the fast-moving fire was so dangerous that firefighters had to drive residents out of the area in fire engines.

Video from a news helicopter showed burned homes and firefighters trying to put out flames at another residence. Other homes were burning across a large area, the video showed.