Camarillo Fire: Officials Advise Residents To Evacuate Homes In California

The residents of Camarillo in Ventura County, Calif., woke up Thursday to the threat of a wild fire reaching their homes.

The gusty Santa Ana winds raged along the fringes of the Southern California communities, forcing evacuation of thousands of homes and a university. The blaze erupted during morning rush hour along U.S. 101 about 50 miles west of Los Angeles.

"We are telling residents to prepare to evacuate. Take the time now to get ready in case that order comes," said Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Bill Nash.

An update warned residents to gather important documents, medications and other irreplaceable belongings and be ready to evacuate.

More than 200 firefighters were on their way to the fire, which broke at around 6:30 a.m. PST. Three hours later, it had scorched 100 acres and was uncontained.

The National Weather Service warned of an "extreme" fire danger in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara for Thursday and Friday. The Summit fire in Riverside County, which started Wednesday afternoon, has burned about 3,000 acres.