A new and rapidly spreading wildfire has forced more than 50,000 people to evacuate from areas north of Los Angeles, as fierce winds and dry conditions continue to exacerbate the fire’s spread. The Hughes Fire erupted in the late morning and quickly consumed over 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) of land, producing thick smoke near Lake Castaic, about 40 miles from the ongoing Eaton and Palisades fires.
Despite the challenging conditions, Joe Tyler, director of Cal Fire, reported that responders were making significant efforts to contain the blaze, though he emphasized that the danger is far from over. Currently, over 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, as confirmed by LA County officials.
Firefighters have been working to protect critical areas, including parts of Interstate 5, which was temporarily closed for emergency response operations. Aircraft crews have dropped thousands of gallons of fire retardant to slow the flames. However, with winds gusting up to 42 mph (67 kph) and expected to reach 60 mph (96 kph), the fire remains difficult to contain.
Local residents like Kayla Amara are facing intense stress, with many preparing for potential destruction as fires close in on homes. Meanwhile, officials have also started preparing for potential rain, which could trigger mudslides and debris flows in the fire-affected areas.
Firefighters continue to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have already claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed over 14,000 structures. While progress has been made, with containment at 68% for the Palisades Fire and 91% for the Eaton Fire, many areas remain at risk. The cause of the fires is under investigation, with multiple lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison, alleging that the utility’s equipment sparked the blaze.
