Hell of a Christmas! Terrified family drives through California bush fire

Maaike Maks, a Dutch tourist was visiting California from the Netherlands when she and her family were caught driving through the middle of the raging fire and posted the video below to Twitter.

Fire officials had earlier reported that parts of the Pacific Coast highway also were closed, but Ms Sumagaysay said she was not aware of that.

The fire started at around 11pm local time on Friday near Ventura, which is about 105km northwest of Los Angeles, and strong winds as high as 65km/h and dry vegetation caused it to grow rapidly, fire officials said.

As of Saturday, some 600 firefighters were at the scene while four helicopters dumped water on the blaze.

A brush fire that occurred in north of Ventura near the Pacific Coast Highway left 1,200 acres burned, and it continues to menace thousands of home.

The fire prompted mandatory evacuations Saturday in Solimar Beach neighborhoods. They were fleeing the small community of Solimar Beach and a nearby campground, battling the traffic as the flames edged closer.

Macklin said winds reached 45 to 50 miles per hour late Friday into early Saturday. The evacuation order was lifted by nightfall and a stretch of the scenic Pacific Coast Highway was reopened.

Winds blew embers from the fire overnight and ignited a 2-acre spot fire that was visible from the 101 Freeway, Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Mike Lindbery tweeted shortly before 6 a.m. Both directions of the 101 Freeway to State Route 33 and State Route 150 were also shut down until 5 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities said that the Red Cross opened a shelter at the Carpinteria Veteran’s Memorial Building, which is located at 941 Walnut Avenue in Carpinteria. Residents living in Faria Beach and campers at Emma Woods State Beach were placed under voluntary evacuations. Authorities asked motorists Saturday to use caution on the freeways near the fire.

Two firefighters are reported to have suffered ankle and knee injuries due to the rocky terrain.