A rapidly spreading wildfire, known as the Hughes fire, has erupted in Los Angeles County, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents in a region already grappling with the aftermath of devastating fires earlier this month.
The blaze ignited Wednesday afternoon, approximately 45 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, near Castaic Lake, in a mountainous area adjacent to residential neighborhoods and schools. Within hours, the fire has consumed over 9,400 acres, fueled by strong winds and dry brush.
While no homes or businesses have been reported damaged so far, around 31,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, and Interstate 5, a major highway that runs along the West Coast from Mexico to Canada, has been closed due to the fire’s proximity.
The Hughes fire is burning north of two significant wildfires that have already wreaked havoc in the Los Angeles area, destroying numerous neighborhoods earlier this month. In addition to the Hughes fire, two smaller blazes have ignited further south near San Diego and Oceanside.
The Lilac fire near Oceanside has burned 85 acres, while the Bernardo fire has consumed 3.9 acres. Fire crews have largely contained these smaller fires, with evacuation orders being lifted and forward progress halted.
Local news footage from Los Angeles County showed residents near the Hughes fire actively hosing down their homes and yards, while others hurriedly evacuated their neighborhoods. As the flames licked the mountains, aircraft were deployed to drop water and flame retardant in an effort to combat the blaze.
The region is currently under a red flag warning, indicating a high risk of fire due to strong winds and low humidity. Winds in the area are currently blowing at speeds of 20 to 30 mph, with forecasts predicting an increase throughout the day, potentially exacerbating the fire’s growth and complicating aerial firefighting efforts.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that approximately 31,000 individuals are under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 23,000 residents receiving evacuation warnings. The local jail is also in the process of evacuating nearly 500 inmates from the facility.
Despite the fire’s rapid growth, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone expressed cautious optimism, stating that crews are making progress. “The situation remains dynamic, and the fire remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand,” he said.
Ed Fletcher, a representative from Cal Fire, noted that the current conditions of the Hughes fire differ from those of the earlier blazes. He explained that while winds are not as strong at the moment, the area remains extremely dry, and the forecast indicates increasing wind speeds. “We’ll know more in a few hours,” he added.
Fletcher highlighted that the fire is currently moving toward Castaic Lake, which serves as a buffer for the nearby Castaic community, home to about 20,000 residents. However, he cautioned that if the fire crosses the lake, the situation could become significantly more precarious.
One evacuee described her harrowing experience on Interstate 5, where she encountered thick smoke and flames. “It looked like a cloud, but as you got close, it looked like we were driving into hell,” she recounted.
The woman expressed her anxiety, having witnessed the destruction caused by the recent Palisades and Eaton fires, which claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed over 10,000 homes and businesses.
Dana Dierkes, a spokesperson for the Angeles National Forest, emphasized the ongoing challenges posed by the dry conditions and winds. “We don’t have a fire season in California. We have a fire year,” she stated, noting that wildfires can occur at any time, particularly when exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds.
In a hopeful turn, rain is forecasted for the weekend, which could help mitigate the fire threat. However, this rainfall raises concerns about potential mudslides, flooding, and landslides, especially in areas recently affected by fires, where the ground is less absorbent.
In response to these risks, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Monday to allocate resources for flood and landslide preparedness, and crews have been busy filling thousands of sandbags for vulnerable areas.
