Photos of the scenes after Canyon Fire ignited

Smoke rises from the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Val Verde, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

HALSEY CANYON, Calif. (AP) — A brush fire in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles and close to popular recreation spot Lake Castaic ignited and quickly spread Thursday afternoon, forcing thousands of evacuations.

The Canyon Fire comes as a massive wildfire in Central California has become the state’s largest blaze of the year, burning out of control in the Los Padres National Forest.

August and September are typically the most dangerous months for wildfires in the state.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Rescue evacuates a horse as the Canyon Fire burns on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A resident rides a golf cart as he exits his property while the Canyon Fire burns on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A resident walks along Halsey Canyon Road as the Canyon Fire burns on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A California Department of Corrections fire crew looks on as the Canyon Fire burns on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A firefighter battles the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A resident rides a bike along Halsey Canyon Road as the Canyon Fire burns on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A helicopter drops water over the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Firefighters battle the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A California Department of Corrections fire crew battles the Canyon Fire on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Halsey Canyon, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)