Los Angeles County declares local emergency as Canyon Fire burns nearly 5,000 acres

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger has announced a local emergency proclamation in response to the rapidly spreading Canyon Fire impacting northern Los Angeles County communities, officials said. The proclamation enables the county to “expedite access to critical resources and cut through bureaucratic red tape to enhance firefighting and recovery efforts,” according to a statement from Los Angeles County. So far, the Canyon Fire burning in Ventura and Los Angeles counties in California has grown to just under 5,000 acres in a matter of hours. On Thursday, the fire had burned 1,500 acres. “The issuance of this emergency proclamation is a crucial step in our fight against the Canyon Fire,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “It allows us to unlock vital state and local