A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California that has grown to more than 19,600 acres prompted a Ventura County university to cancel classes and temporarily suspend campus operations as authorities struggle to control the blaze .
Cal State University Channel Islands officials said the campus remains safe, but classes were canceled Thursday and Friday due to the Mountain Fire that caused “serious disruptions” and “significant impacts” to 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 broke out at 8:51 a.m. Wednesday in Ventura County, immediately west of Los Angeles County, and was fueled by what fire officials called a significant Santa Ana wind event. At least 800 firefighters assisted 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.
Andy VanSciver, spokesman for the fire department, said the fire was “challenging.”
“We are still focusing on life safety and structure defense,” he said at the news conference.
Numerous structures were affected by the inferno, the fire department said on X. An evacuation center has been established in Padre Sierra Parish in Camarillo.
According to a fire brigade spokesperson, several people were injured and taken to hospitals.
Ventura County Fire Capt. Trevor Johnson said the fast-moving fire was so dangerous that firefighters had to drive residents from the area in fire trucks.
Video from a news helicopter showed burned homes and firefighters trying to extinguish flames in another home. Other homes were on fire over a large area, the video showed.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
