A new wildfire, named the Hughes Fire, has erupted in Los Angeles County, forcing thousands of people to evacuate on Wednesday.
The fire started near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and quickly spread, burning more than 9,200 acres within hours.
Local authorities said the fire is fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation. Though no homes or businesses have been damaged yet, officials remain cautious.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said, “About 31,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, and an additional 23,000 have been warned they might need to leave.” He also noted that nearly 500 inmates from a local jail were being evacuated for safety.
Residents in affected areas were seen using water hoses to protect their homes, while firefighters battled the flames from the ground and air. Aircraft dropped water and flame retardants on the blaze as orange flames lit up the mountains.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone explained, “The fire is dynamic and difficult to contain, but we’re making progress. The winds aren’t as strong as during the previous fires, and we’ve been able to deploy helicopters and planes early on.”
Ed Fletcher, a representative of Cal Fire, added, “It’s super dry, and we know the winds will pick up later, but right now, the fire is being pushed toward Castaic Lake, which is acting as a natural barrier.”
He warned, “If the fire jumps the lake, it becomes a much more serious situation.”
One evacuee described her terrifying experience to NBC: “It looked like a cloud, but as you got closer, it felt like driving into hell.” She also said the recent fires in the region had left her feeling uneasy.
Dana Dierkes, a spokesperson for Angeles National Forest, highlighted the ongoing risk, stating, “We don’t have a fire season in California anymore; it’s a fire year. The combination of dry weather and the Santa Ana winds makes these fires much harder to control.”
Two smaller fires also started south of Los Angeles, near San Diego and Oceanside. The Lilac Fire burned 85 acres, while the Center Fire covered 3.9 acres. Firefighters managed to contain these blazes, and evacuation orders for these areas have been mostly lifted.
Rain is forecast for the weekend, which could help douse the flames. However, officials warn of new dangers, including mudslides and flooding in areas already scorched by wildfires.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to prepare resources for flood and landslide threats. Crews are currently filling sandbags to protect high-risk areas.
