A wildfire that is raging on the northern edge of Los Angeles has forced 100,000 people to be evacuated from their homes, The Associated Press reported Friday.

According to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore, more than 20,000 homes are being mandatorily evacuated.

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The fire began around 9 p.m. Thursday night and has grown to more than 7 square miles, with at least 25 homes damaged, fire Chief Ralph Terrazas told the AP.

Strong Santa Ana winds were to blame for the spread of the fire. The fire chief said that sustained winds were 20-25 mph and that humidity had been around 3 percent.

“As you can imagine, the embers from the wind have been traveling a significant distance which causes another fire to start,” Terrazas said.

At least 74 buildings have reportedly been destroyed, though there are no confirmations of fatalities.

Helicopters have reportedly made repeated water drops and about 1,000 fire fighters are on the ground fighting the blaze.