Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, the Mountain Fire in Ventura County forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate from their homes as it exploded by thousands of acres within hours, injuring people and destroying homes in its path.

The Mountain fire, which has burned over 14,500 acres and dozens of homes in Ventura County as of Thursday, Nov. 7, has caused dangerous air quality, and road and school closures. More than a dozen schools and school districts in Ventura County were closed Thursday, and several will remain closed on Friday as well.

A wind-whipped Southern California brush fire that exploded to 14,500 acres in less than 24 hours, destroying homes and prompting mass evacuations, remained out of control Thursday as Gov. Gavin Newsom rallied state and federal resources to battle the blaze.