More than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings from new fire
The Hughes Fire has covered more than 15 square miles of trees and bush north of Los Angeles in a few hours.
More than 50,000 people in Southern California were under evacuation orders or warnings on Wednesday as a huge and fast-moving wildfire swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles.
The Hughes Fire broke out in the late morning as the parched region endured another round of dangerous winds and within hours charred more than 15 square miles of trees and brush, sending up plumes of dark smoke near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 40 miles from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.
“This fire had a robust response today… the responders are doing great work to try to contain this fire,” Joe Tyler, director of Cal Fire, said at a Wednesday evening press conference. “Certainly, we are not out of the woods yet.”
More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
LA County fire chief Anthony Marrone said the fire remains difficult to contain but firefighters are getting the upper hand.
He said because winds were not as strong as they were two weeks ago, aircraft crews were able to drop tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the south side of the fire, where the flames were moving.
A 30-mile stretch of Interstate 5 was closed as flames raced along hilltops and down into wooded canyons, but Mr Luna said it would be reopened soon.
Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving across the interstate and toward Castaic.
Winds in the area were gusting at 42mph in the afternoon but were expected to increase to 60mph by later in the evening and Thursday, the National Weather Service said on X.
To the south, Los Angeles officials began to prepare for potential rain even as some residents were allowed to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
Gusty weather was expected to last throughout Thursday and rain was possible starting on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
“Rains are in the forecast and the threat of mud and debris flow in our fire-impacted communities is real,” supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a Wednesday morning news conference.
Fire crews were filling sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleared drainage pipes and basins.
Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended until 10am on Friday in LA and Ventura counties. Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue watching for hot spots.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised people to visit the city’s website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event.
LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer cautioned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials.
“Even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems,” she said on Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning up.
The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out January 7. Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 68% and the Eaton Fire was at 91%.
Mr Luna said that his department was still investigating 22 missing adult reports in both fire zones.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings.
Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, alleging utility company Southern California Edison’s equipment sparked the blaze. On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started.
