A large wildfire is raging in the mountains north of Los Angeles, forcing over 50,000 people to evacuate or prepare to leave. The Hughes Fire ignited Wednesday morning and spread quickly. Burning nearly 16 square miles of land near Castaic Lake, a popular spot for outdoor recreation.
Firefighters battle flames in challenging conditions
The fire is just miles away from the ongoing Eaton and Palisades fires, which have been burning for three weeks. Though the area is under a red flag warning due to extreme fire conditions, winds weren’t as fierce as in past fires. This allowed firefighting planes to release tons of fire retardant and gain some control. By Wednesday night, firefighters had contained 14% of the blaze.
Fire chief remains optimistic despite challenges
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the situation is better than it was 16 days ago. He and other officials extended red flag warnings until Friday morning. For both LA and Ventura counties, worried that other fires, like the Palisades and Eaton fires, could break containment lines.
Evacuation orders and alerts affect thousands
A separate brush fire near Sherman Oaks. It broke out late Wednesday near the I-405 Freeway, led to an evacuation warning. But by Thursday, the fire had burned about 40 acres, and the warning was lifted. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and no structures were destroyed.
Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that over 31,000 residents had been ordered to evacuate due to the Hughes Fire, with 23,000 more under warning. Despite the evacuation, no homes or buildings have been reported as destroyed yet.
High winds make firefighting efforts tough
To aid firefighters, parts of Interstate 5 were closed on Wednesday to allow crews to work. By the evening, a section of the highway was reopened. Authorities are working hard to keep the fire from crossing the road and spreading toward Castaic.
Wind conditions, which reached 42 mph and even hit 65 mph in some mountainous areas, continue to make firefighting efforts tough. However, officials say that milder winds this time have helped aircraft drop fire retardant on the fire’s south side, where the flames have been most active.
The fire has triggered widespread anxiety in local residents. Kayla Amara, a Castaic resident, rushed to a friend’s home to collect belongings. Realizing the fire was getting closer, she began protecting the property by spraying it down. “I really hope to come back to a house,” she said, expressing the added stress that this latest fire has caused her.
Rain and mudflow threaten burned areas
Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials are preparing for a new challenge: rain. Though the winds are expected to remain strong through Thursday, rain is expected to begin Saturday. But rain could lead to mud and debris flows in fire-affected areas. To prepare, workers have been filling sandbags, clearing drainage systems, and putting up barriers to manage the expected stormwater.
The city’s public health director, Barbara Ferrer, also warned that ash from the fires might carry hazardous materials like arsenic and heavy metals. She advised residents to take precautions, wear protective gear when cleaning, and stay indoors as much as possible during this Santa Ana wind episode.
Palisades and Eaton Fires continue to burn
As firefighters continue battling the Hughes Fire, attention also remains on the ongoing Palisades and Eaton fires, which have already killed at least 28 people and destroyed over 14,000 homes. Though containment efforts are progressing—70% for Palisades and 95% for Eaton—firefighters are still on high alert.
Sheriff Luna mentioned that there are currently 22 active missing person reports in the fire zones. Investigations are still underway, with authorities trying to determine the cause of the fires. While the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is looking into it, no conclusions have been made public yet.
Lawsuits filed against utility company
Victims of the Eaton Fire are suing Southern California Edison, claiming the utility’s equipment caused the fire. A judge overseeing one of the lawsuits has ordered the company to release data from circuits in the area where the fire started.
This situation remains fluid, with thousands of lives still at risk. As authorities continue to monitor the evolving fires, residents are urged to follow evacuation orders and stay updated on emergency measures
