Southern California Canyon Fire rapidly expands amid multiple western wildfires

(CNN)- Another wildfire has broken out in Southern California, as the Canyon Fire ignited Thursday afternoon.

Initially estimated at just 30 acres, the blaze rapidly expanded to more than 1,000 acres within two hours. By Thursday evening, the fire had scorched nearly 5,000 acres, prompting evacuation orders for residents in affected areas.

The fire began in Ventura County before quickly spreading into Los Angeles County. Firefighters are already stretched thin battling the nearby Gifford Fire, which has burned close to 100,000 acres and was only 15 percent contained as of Thursday night.

Rich Eagan, Fire Engineer and Public Information Officer with the Chula Vista Fire Department, said, “Our firefighters out there are doing a good job. But the terrain is steep.” Tom Swanson, Assistant Chief of the North Division in San Luis Obispo County, added, “The helicopters are a great tool for the firefighting that we’re doing out here. They can work deeper into the canyons.”

Meanwhile, in Colorado, the Lee Fire continues to rage near the town of Meeker, burning tens of thousands of acres. Fire crews are also battling the nearby Elk Fire as the landscape is enveloped in a thick haze.

This surge in wildfire activity comes as Hawaii marks the somber second anniversary of the devastating fires on Maui. Those fires claimed more than 100 lives and caused approximately six billion dollars in damages.