Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo, California, was designated as an official evacuation site by Ventura County Emergency Services and the American Red Cross.

California Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency on Friday, days after winds fueled a massive wildfire west of Los Angeles.

Firefighters were gaining ground Monday on a wildfire that raced across more than 32 square miles north of Los Angeles, damaged or destroyed almost 250 homes, businesses and other structures and continued to "creep and smolder" in steep rugged terrain.

Authorities said firefighters battled fierce, howling winds and rescued people as a fast-moving Southern California wildfire exploded in size.