Thousands Ordered to Evacuate As Powerful Wind-Fed Wildfire Burns Homes in Southern California

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.

Northwest of Los Angeles, the Mountain Fire exploded in size and prompted evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people as it threatened 3,500 structures in suburban communities, ranches and agricultural areas around Camarillo, according to a statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

He said he has requested federal assistance for the area east of the Pacific coast city of Ventura.

Ventura County fire captain Trevor Johnson described crews racing to homes threatened by the flames to save lives.

 "Everything is dangerous out there," he told reporters.

"Driving - they can't see five feet in front of their engine - operating in and around power lines, gas lines that are on fire.

"This is as intense as it gets. The hair on the back of the firefighters' necks I'm sure was standing up."

Authorities said they were using all resources, including water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant.