Los Angeles Wildfire: Thousands Forced to Flee as Flames Spread
The Hughes Fire is burning north of the areas recently devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires
A devastating new wildfire has broken out in Los Angeles County, just weeks after a series of destructive fires ravaged the area. The Hughes Fire, which ignited near Castaic Lake on Wednesday morning, has spread rapidly, covering over 8,000 acres in a matter of hours, according to fire officials.
As a result, evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 20,000 people, with an additional 15,000 receiving warnings to be prepared to leave their homes at a moment’s notice. The swift and aggressive spread of the fire has prompted emergency responders to take immediate action to protect residents and contain the blaze.
The blaze, which currently has no containment, is burning in a mountainous area bordering residential neighborhoods and schools. Strong winds, gusting between 20 and 30 mph and expected to strengthen, are fueling the fire’s rapid spread and hindering firefighting efforts.
The region is under a red flag warning, indicating a high fire risk due to the windy, dry conditions.
A section of Interstate 5, a major transportation artery, has been closed north of Castaic Lake due to the fire, causing significant disruptions. One evacuee described driving towards the blaze as “driving into hell,” recounting the terrifying sight of dark smoke and orange flames.
The Hughes Fire is burning north of the areas recently devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses earlier this month.
The recurrence of fires has left residents on edge. “I don’t know why they keep popping up,” one evacuee told NBC 4. “It’s definitely a scary time in this area.”
Firefighters are battling the blaze from the ground and air, with aircraft dropping water and flame retardant. Ed Fletcher of Cal Fire told the BBC that while the situation is serious, the winds are not yet as strong as during the earlier fires, and a large number of crews are working to contain the flames.
He noted that the current winds are pushing the fire towards Castaic Lake, which is acting as a natural buffer, but warned that if the fire jumps the lake, the situation could become much more dangerous.
While the Hughes Fire is the most significant current threat, two smaller fires also ignited further south near San Diego and Oceanside. The Lilac fire near Oceanside (85 acres) and the Bernardo fire (3.9 acres) were quickly contained, with evacuation orders mostly lifted.
The situation in Los Angeles County remains critical as firefighters continue to battle the Hughes Fire amid challenging conditions. The ongoing fire season has renewed concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the region.
