CASTAIC, Calif. — On Wednesday, nearly 20,000 residents were given evacuation orders as a large and rapidly spreading wildfire surged through the steep terrains north of Los Angeles. This fire comes amidst dry conditions in Southern California, which has experienced treacherous winds, while two significant fires from earlier have also continued to smolder in the region.
The Hughes Fire ignited in the late morning hours and quickly ravaged approximately 8 square miles (21 square kilometers) of vegetation near Lake Castaic, a well-known recreational site situated around 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the ongoing Eaton and Palisades fires, which are now in their third week of destruction. In response to the advancing flames, a 30-mile (48 km) section of Interstate 5, a critical north-south corridor, was closed due to fire activity that raced along hilltops and invaded wooded canyons. Ground crews, along with aerial support dropping water, worked desperately to stop the wind-fueled flames from crossing the interstate and creating a direct threat to Castaic, leading to the evacuation order for around 19,000 residents. Additionally, 15,000 locals were alerted to stay prepared for possible evacuation at any moment, as reported by the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
Kayla Amara raced to the Stonegate neighborhood in Castaic to retrieve belongings from her friend’s home, who had hastily left to fetch her daughter from preschool. While loading her car, Amara discovered that the fire had expanded substantially, prompting her to douse the property with water. “Other people are hosing down their houses, too. I hope there’s a house here to return to,” Amara commented amidst the chaos, with police vehicles speeding by and flames devouring trees on a nearby hillside. Living in Valencia, this nurse expressed her heightened anxiety, saying that the ongoing wildfires in Southern California had been increasingly stressful, especially now that the situation was perilously close to her home.
To the south, Los Angeles officials began preparations for potential rainfall, even as some residents returned to their homes in the fire-affected Pacific Palisades and Altadena regions. Gusty winds were predicted to persist through Thursday, with the possibility of rain starting on Saturday, as indicated by the National Weather Service. Supervisor Kathryn Barger warned during a Wednesday morning briefing about the imminent threat of mud and debris flows in recently burned areas, urging for caution among affected communities while fire crews filled sandbags and cleared drains.
Red flag warnings indicating critical fire risk were extended until 8 p.m. Thursday across LA and Ventura counties. Concerns remained regarding the potential breaching of containment lines by both the Palisades and Eaton fires, with firefighters meticulously monitoring hot spots. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concerns that ash carried by winds could pose health risks, advising residents to consult the city’s resources for protective measures against hazardous air during the Santa Ana wind event. LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer highlighted the dangers of ash, which might contain heavy metals and other toxic substances, urging individuals to use protective gear during cleanup efforts.
As firefighters battled the Palisades and Eaton fires, which since January 7 have caused at least 28 fatalities and destroyed over 14,000 properties, conditions remained grim due to low humidity and extremely dry vegetation, fueled further by intense winds. Currently, the Palisades Fire is 68% contained while the Eaton Fire has reached a 91% containment level. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna revealed that his department is investigating two dozen active missing person reports related to both fire zones, emphasizing that all individuals reported missing are adults.
Meanwhile, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has begun an investigation into the origins of the fires, although findings have yet to be disclosed. Numerous lawsuits have emerged from victims of the Eaton Fire, alleging that equipment belonging to Southern California Edison sparked the blaze. A judge overseeing one of these lawsuits mandated that the utility company must provide data from the circuits located in the vicinity where the wildfire began.
