Wildfire in Ventura County destroys homes and forces evacuations

A wildfire in Ventura County, California, has destroyed dozens of homes and burned over 20,485 acres in just hours. Authorities issued more than 14,000 evacuation notices as winds gusted over 96 km/h, complicating firefighting efforts. At least 132 homes have been destroyed, with 88 others damaged. Ten people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation. Firefighters have achieved 5 percent containment of the blaze, with conditions improving as winds decrease. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with officials looking into potential involvement of power lines. Southern California Edison cut power to nearly 70,000 customers as a precaution against fire risks.