Evacuation orders were lifted Friday in parts of southern California as firefighters made progress against a brush fire that forced thousands from their homes north of Los Angeles. The Canyon fire, which ignited Thursday in a mountainous area, had burned 8.4 square miles (21.9 square kilometers) by late morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials said the blaze was 28% contained, and evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings, though the threat to life and property remained. Nearly 4,200 residents in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders at the height of the fire, with another 12,500 placed under warnings. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized "out of an abundance of caution," the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. All are expected to recover. Crews in Ventura County reported "good progress" in suppressing the flames, crediting favorable weather and repeated water and retardant drops by aircraft. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for parts of Los Angeles County, warning that unhealthy air quality could persist through Sunday. Officials cautioned residents about the health risks of inhaling fine particles from wildfire smoke, which can worsen asthma, lung disease and other chronic conditions. "If first responders tell you to leave, go without hesitation," LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said, citing extreme heat and low humidity as conditions fueling rapid fire spread. The Canyon fire follows another major blaze — the Gifford wildfire — burning in Central California. Sparked in Los Padres National Forest, it has scorched 154 square miles (399 square kilometers), making it the state's largest wildfire so far this year. About 110,000 residents in Santa Maria remain on alert for possible evacuation. The causes of both fires are under investigation. State officials warned that wildfire risk will remain elevated through the weekend amid a heatwave, drought and dry vegetation. — Agencies
