Thousands ordered to evacuate as powerful wind-fed wildfire burns homes in Southern California

It’s bad out there, but we’re getting them all out,

one woman told local broadcaster KTLA as she drove horses out of the area

Every helicopter, every fixed wing aircraft, everything we’ve been able to get a hold of is here fighting this fire, and it is moving at a dangerous rate,

he told reporters

All of a sudden there was soot on our patio furniture, coming from the front of the house as well as the back, and the smoke was kind of surrounding our street,

she said

This fire is moving dangerously fast,

Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said

This is as intense as it gets. The hair on the back of the firefighters’ neck I’m sure was standing up,

he said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon

The horse community, they prepare for this because it's always a possibility up here,

he said

There are a number of homes that have been impacted by fire. It's a rapidly moving fire,

said Andrew Dowd, a Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson

Those in canyon, mountain, and foothill communities should be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice,

the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management said on X (formerly Twitter).

It is crucial that those in at-risk areas follow the advice of local authorities and evacuate immediately if directed,

said a message on the Red Cross website

Power shutoffs are being considered for up to 200,000 customers to reduce wildfire risks,

the company said on its website