A wildfire near Los Angeles has forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate as strong winds drive flames into neighbourhoods, destroying homes. Firefighters are battling intense Santa Ana winds as the fire spreads across 20,000 acres, threatening thousands more residents

More than 10,000 people were evacuated due to a wildfire northwest of Los Angeles as strong seasonal winds drove flames into residential areas, destroying dozens of homes, authorities reported on Thursday. 

Firefighters and police evacuated neighborhoods near Camarillo after embers, blown 3.2 kms (2 miles) from the front of the fire, set homes ablaze, said Ventura County Fire Captain Tony McHale.

“It’s like trying to put out a blowtorch with a squirt gun,” he described. The blaze, which ignited in a hillside canyon on Wednesday, rapidly spread westward due to powerful Santa Ana winds.

Fueled by dry grass, scrub, and gusts of up to 130 kph (80 mph), the fire had burned more than 20,000 acres (8,094 hectares) by Thursday evening.

Several civilians were injured, with significant damage to homes and businesses. The Los Angeles Times reported more than 90 homes are destroyed. More than 30,000 residents are at risk, according to Cal Fire.

A red flag warning for high winds remains in place until Friday. 

Climate experts say warmer temperatures have led to wetter winters, boosting coastal vegetation growth. This summer's record heat then dried out these areas, increasing fire risk.

The U.S. has already seen 8.1 million acres burn this year, exceeding the average annual rate of 7 million acres over the past decade.

In California, wildfires have so far scorched more than three times the land compared to the same period last year, according to Cal Fire data.

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