LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wildfire raged around a coastal region in Southern California early today, after flaring up in strong winds a day earlier and cutting a 10- mile path to the Pacific.

By the time it reached Pacific Coast Highway late Thursday night, the blaze had burned about 8,000 acres — or 12 1/2 square miles — and had forced the evacuation of a university and thousands of people from hundreds of homes, officials said.

The blaze was 10 percent contained, but the work of more than 900 firefighters and deputies was just beginning, Ventura County fire Capt. Bill Nash said.

“We know the fire is continuing to grow,” Nash said about 3 a.m. today. But he added that firefighters won’t be able to determine how much until it can be checked by a helicopter during daylight.