California wildfire burns 1200 acres northwest of Los Angeles, closes highway

Her dramatic video has since gone viral as the images show just how major this wildfire really was for firefighters.

The blaze was pushed by a strong northwest wind, according to the Ventura County Fire Department, one of several agencies battling the fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association in 2014 there were 1,298,000 fires reported in the United States and these fires caused 3,275 civilian deaths, 15,775 civilian injuries, and $11.6 billion in property damage.

The fire started late on Friday and quickly spread due to high winds and dry vegetation, county fire department spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay said.

“We will not leave until we know every ember has been extinguished”, said Battalion Chief Fred Burris, of the Ventura County Fire Department. A voluntary order was issued for the nearby Faria Beach community, which has 30 to 40 homes, fire officials said.

Helicopters and fixed-wing tankers were helping to battle the blaze by dropping water.

Pacific Coast Highway is closed between the State Beaches and Seacliff off-ramps, and is expected to re-open by 5 p.m.

The rapid growth of the fire has prompted evacuations and the closure of the 101 Freeway in both directions. Even though this fire is not the biggest wildfire California has faced recently, it is still very risky.

The scene is still considered a dynamic situation since the winds could get up to 30 -35 miles per hour, causing the fire to possibly change directions at any time.

A Red Cross shelter is at the Carpinteria Veteran Memorial, 941 Walnut Ave., in Carpinteria.

An existing wind advisory will likely still be in place on Sunday.

“We understand the importance of the highway, especially on a holiday weekend”, Lindbery said.

People who left their homes were asked to make sure their doors and windows were closed first.

Cal Fire reported that the fire is 10 percent contained.