A new wildfire, the Hughes Fire, erupted near Castaic Lake in Southern California, forcing evacuations and prompting concerns about potential mudflows as rain approaches. Meanwhile, firefighters continue battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed thousands of structures.
Officials remain concerned about the potential for the Palisades and Eaton fires to break containment lines as firefighters closely monitor hot spots. A new fire, the Hughes Fire , erupted late Wednesday morning and quickly spread, charring nearly 16 square miles of land near Castaic Lake . Despite a red flag warning for critical fire risk, winds were not as strong as during the previous devastating fires, allowing firefighting aircraft to drop thousands of gallons of fire retardant.
By Wednesday night, about 14% of the Hughes Fire was contained. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone emphasized the contrasting situation compared to 16 days ago.Red flag warnings extended through Friday morning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. An evacuation warning was issued for Sherman Oaks due to a 10-acre brush fire near the I-405 Freeway. Over 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from the Hughes Fire, with another 23,000 under evacuation warnings, according to LA County Sheriff Robert Luna. No reports of homes or structures being burned have surfaced. Parts of Interstate 5 near the Hughes Fire that were previously closed reopened Wednesday evening. The 30-mile stretch had been closed to facilitate emergency vehicle access, equipment movement, and prevent accidents caused by smoke. Fire crews, both on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft, worked diligently to prevent the wind-driven fire from crossing the interstate and approaching Castaic. Marrone explained that the less intense winds allowed aircraft to drop fire retardant on the south side of the fire where flames were advancing. More than 4,000 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, facing winds gusting at 42 mph in the afternoon, reaching up to 65 mph in some mountain areas.Kayla Amara, a nurse from nearby Valencia, visited her friend's home in Castaic's Stonegate neighborhood to collect items. As she packed, news of the fire's rapid growth prompted her to hose down the property. She expressed hope of returning to a habitable home amidst the escalating situation. Amara admitted to experiencing heightened stress in recent weeks due to the major wildfires ravaging Southern California. To the south, Los Angeles officials commenced preparations for potential rain, even as some residents were permitted to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas. Gusty weather was anticipated to persist through Thursday, with the possibility of rain starting Saturday. Supervisor Kathryn Barger warned of the threat of mud and debris flows in fire-impacted communities. Fire crews actively filled sandbags, while county workers installed barriers and cleared drainage pipes and basins. Mayor Karen Bass cautioned residents about the potential for ash carried by winds and advised them to consult the city's website for protective measures against toxic air during the Santa Ana wind event. LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer highlighted that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic, and other harmful substances, stressing that even brief exposure could cause skin irritation and more serious health problems. She urged individuals to wear protective gear during cleanup efforts.
Wildfire Hughes Fire Castaic Lake Evacuations Mudflows Palisades Fire Eaton Fire Southern California
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