Flames from the Mountain Fire consume a home in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday. (Noah Berger/AP)
A rapidly moving wildfire known as the Mountain Fire exploded in Ventura County, Calif., on Wednesday, knocking out power, destroying homes and prompting evacuations as firefighters struggled to contain it.
The Mountain Fire has burned more than 19,000 acres, fire officials said, as strong Santa Ana winds pushed it into neighborhoods in the Camarillo and Moorpark foothills.
Dramatic photos captured firefighters battling soaring flames that tore through structures overnight.
Evacuation orders were issued for more than 14,000 people, though it is unclear how many heeded them. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported.
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Ventura County Fire Captain Trevor Johnson said the cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation.
The National Weather Service had issued a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag alert, warning of “widespread, extreme fire weather conditions” across southern California through Friday.
Flames engulf a structure near Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
A raging fire consumes a home in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday. (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A horse in an enclosure in Santa Paula, Calif., as the Mountain Fire burns in the distance on Wednesday. (Noah Berger/AP)
Smoke and flames billow from the Mountain Fire. (David Swanson/Reuters)
A home in Camarillo, Calif., burns in the Mountain Fire on Wednesday. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Flames from the Mountain Fire intensify as they engulf a structure in Camarillo, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
A two-story home engulfed in flames from the Mountain Fire on Wednesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
A firefighter in Santa Paula, Calif., battling the Mountain Fire on Wednesday. (Noah Berger/AP)
A house in Camarillo, Calif., engulfed in flames on Wednesday. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Flames consume a home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif. (Noah Berger/AP)
Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a nearby burning home on Wednesday. (Noah Berger/AP)
A person looks on as smoke and flames billow from the Mountain Fire in Santa Paula, Calif. (David Swanson/Reuters)
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