A swiftly spreading wildfire roared unchecked through Simi Valley, California, NBC reported on Wednesday (11 November). The so-called Brush Fire is among scores of blazes that have ravaged the drought-stricken western United States this summer, coming amid what California fire officials described as unheard of fire behaviour for the season.

The Brush Fire has consumed about 20,000 acres so far, local media said. The National Weather Service reported that the wind may reach 5-15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph, as warm and dry conditions are expected to last well into the weekend. Fire warnings were issued for Ventura and Los Angeles counties for Thursday, local media said.