**Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Ipswich Town - Prediction, Team News, Lineups** Tottenham Hotspur will host Ipswich Town in an exciting pre-season clash as both teams prepare for the new campaign. Spurs are aiming to build on their impressive off-season progress under manager Ange Postecoglou, while Ipswich will be looking to fine-tune their squad ahead of their return to the Championship. In this preview, we take a closer look at the predicted lineups, key players to watch, and our match prediction for what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

 

California Firefighters Battle Fast-Moving Blaze in Ventura County

Hundreds of firefighters in California are working to control a rapidly spreading wildfire that ignited on Wednesday morning in Ventura County, near the city of Camarillo. The Mountain Fire has burned more than 14,000 acres (5,665 hectares) as of Thursday morning, with no containment reported. 

As of Thursday, over 800 firefighters are engaged in the effort, using ground crews and helicopters to combat the flames. Local authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 14,000 residents on Wednesday, with the evacuation status remaining in effect as of Thursday. 

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for parts of southwest California, indicating extreme fire weather conditions. The warning includes a rare “particularly dangerous situation” label, highlighting the severity of the threat. The warning will remain in effect through Friday morning for areas including the inland empire, the coastal slopes of San Bernardino County, and the mountainous regions of San Diego and Riverside counties.

The fire erupted as strong Santa Ana winds collided with extremely dry conditions, exacerbating the blaze. Winds in some areas reached 85 mph (137 km/h), while relative humidity dropped as low as 8% on Wednesday. By Thursday, winds continued at 60 mph (95 km/h), with humidity around 10%. Fire officials warn that these conditions could cause any new fires to spread rapidly.

Ventura County fire officials reported extensive damage, with numerous structures destroyed by the flames. At least two individuals were hospitalized for possible smoke inhalation, and dozens of homes have already been lost, according to the Associated Press. 

“We are doing everything we can, and our firefighters are showing incredible dedication,” said Trevor Johnson, a captain with the Ventura County Fire Department.

In response to the heightened fire risk, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric Company have implemented power shutoffs, affecting thousands of customers to prevent the electric grid from becoming a potential ignition source. As of Thursday morning, roughly 3,000 customers in Ventura County and over 500 in Los Angeles County were without power.

All schools in Ventura County have been closed Thursday and Friday due to the fire threat. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that federal assistance from FEMA has been secured to support firefighting efforts. 

“The fire is spreading quickly and is threatening lives and property,” Newsom stated. “State and federal resources are mobilizing to protect our communities.”

The Mountain Fire is not the only major fire this week. The Broad Fire in Malibu, Los Angeles County, ignited on Wednesday, burning 50 acres (20 hectares) by Wednesday evening, and is currently 15% contained.

As of this year, more than 1 million acres (410,756 hectares) have burned across California, more than triple the amount at this time last year, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Officials have scheduled their next press conference for 10 a.m. local time (1 p.m. ET).