Fast-moving fires broke out across California on Wednesday as the state was buffeted by powerful winds that complicated firefighting efforts, forced power shutoffs and increased the danger of more ignitions.

Just hours after the fire ignited in Ventura County, the Mountain Fire quickly burned through more than 10,000 acres as the flames spread through rural and residential communities close to the burning hills, leaving devastating effects.

“It has hopped over several ridges and is now burning structure to structure in neighborhoods,” climate scientist Daniel Swain said in an online broadcast, calling the event a “suburban fire storm” that could be among the most destructive in California this year. “And the fire is still spreading.”

Fanned by wind gusts of up to 130 km/h, the fire spewed flames and embers as far as 4 km, making it difficult and dangerous to fight. All firefighting resources in the area have been thrown at the fire, said Ventura Fire Chief Dustin Gardner, who added that the fire is “still moving at a dangerous spread rate.” As of Wednesday evening, the fire remained at 0% containment.

Strong autumn winds are common in the state, but combined with low humidity and parched hills covered in dead and dying vegetation that were cooked during summer heat waves, this region was ready to burn.

Although officials have yet to confirm the total number of homes and other buildings destroyed by the fire, aerial footage showed rows of charred destruction where neighborhoods once stood. The first estimates are in the dozens.

Throughout the day, emergency officials rushed through neighborhoods to ensure homes in the fire path were evacuated and to assist those who had yet to leave. Footage on social media shows officers rushing to push wheelchair-bound seniors out of their homes under dark skies in a frenzied escape.

Burning buildings could also be seen, along with howling winds and large plumes of smoke, as cars and trucks carrying large horse trailers fled under an orange sky. Along with residents and businesses rushing to evacuate, the National Weather Service office serving the Los Angeles area was forced to leave its Oxnard office as the fire approached.

Officials said several people had already been injured and transported to local hospitals, and ambulances had been called to the scene for firefighters, but no details were shared.

“Firefighters immediately worked to get people out of their homes and save lives,” Ventura County Fire Department Captain Trevor Johnson said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. Crews struggled with poor visibility due to smoke while navigating downed power lines and gas lines on fire, along with jagged flames fanned by high winds.

“This is as intense as it gets. I’m sure it made the hair stand on the backs of the firefighters’ necks,” Johnson said.

Officials warned this week that conditions were particularly dangerous, especially in Southern California where landscapes were dry.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of “extremely critical” fire conditions expected to develop throughout the day and extended the warnings through Thursday morning for parts of LA and Ventura counties. “Damaging wind gusts of 100 km/hour combined with humidity around 10%+critically dry fuels!!” the agency added in a message on

With forecast wind gusts between 50 and 100 mph (80 to 161 km/h) and humidity as low as 8%, parts of Southern California could experience conditions ripe for “extreme and life-threatening” fire behavior through Thursday, the weather service said.

Officials in several counties urged residents — especially those in coastal, valley and mountain areas — to be on the lookout for fast-spreading fires, power outages and downed trees amid the latest round of infamous Santa Ana winds.

Meanwhile, Pacific Gas and Electric Company has shut off power to tens of thousands of accounts across the state in an effort to limit possible ignitions during the hazardous conditions.

About 63,370 customers could also be affected in several counties, including Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara, by planned shutdowns issued by Southern California Edison to limit wildfire risk. The company said another 228,000 people were at risk of losing power through Thursday due to the dangerous conditions.

Forecasters also issued red flag warnings through Thursday from California’s central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into counties in the north.

Sustained winds of 30 mph (48 km/h) are expected in many areas, with gusts of up to 55 mph (90 km/h) possible along mountain peaks, according to the weather bureau in San Francisco.

Two more fires ignited in California on Wednesday, including one in Malibu, forcing evacuations and reportedly setting at least one building on fire.

With risks for spread and new ignitions remaining high through Thursday and for some areas through the end of the week, the disasters still unfolding in the state were a prime example of the state’s year-round fire season.

“This is a classic Santa Ana wind event,” Gardner said, noting that these dangerous conditions were expected and prepared for. “Our firefighters and law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can,” he added, urging residents to heed the orders of those trying to protect them. In fires like these, moments make a huge difference.

“If you get an evacuation order from the sheriff, get out,” he said. “Your houses can be replaced – your lives cannot.”

The Associated Press contributed to this reporting