A fierce new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, rapidly expanding and prompting urgent evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents in a region already reeling from the aftermath of devastating blazes.
The flames ignited near Castaic Lake, quickly devouring hillsides and covering more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) within hours. Fueled by strong, dry Santa Ana winds, the fire sent a vast cloud of smoke and hazardous embers racing ahead of its path, threatening nearby communities.
Authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 31,000 people living around the lake, located about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Los Angeles and close to Santa Clarita. One concerned resident expressed his fears, saying, “I’m just praying that our house doesn’t burn down,” as he hurriedly packed his car.
This new blaze, dubbed the Hughes Fire, comes at a time when the greater Los Angeles area is still grappling with the aftermath of two massive fires that claimed over two dozen lives and destroyed thousands of structures. Robert Jensen from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urged those in the affected zones to evacuate immediately, emphasizing the dangers of ignoring such orders. “We’ve seen the devastation caused by people failing to follow those orders in the Palisades and Eaton fires,” he stated. “I don’t want to see that here in our community as well.”
Television footage depicted police canvassing neighborhoods to encourage residents to leave. Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic was under evacuation orders, with around 500 inmates being relocated to a nearby facility. Meanwhile, approximately 4,600 inmates in other jails were sheltering in place, although buses were on standby in case conditions worsened.
Melissa Camacho, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, raised concerns about the safety of incarcerated individuals in fire zones, criticizing the expansion of the jail system in such hazardous areas.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the fire was affecting traffic on the I-5 freeway, with certain sections closed as a precaution. Air support was actively engaged, with helicopters and planes— including two Super Scoopers, massive amphibious aircraft capable of carrying hundreds of gallons of water—working to combat the blaze from above. Ground crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest were also on the front lines.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, facing criticism from President Donald Trump regarding his handling of previous fires, announced that state resources had been deployed to assist with the Hughes Fire. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide the federal government with whatever it needs to extinguish this fire,” he assured.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but it ignited amid red flag fire conditions, characterized by strong winds and low humidity—ideal circumstances for rapid fire spread. Despite it being January, typically part of the region’s rainy season, Southern California has not experienced significant rainfall in nearly eight months, leaving the landscape exceptionally dry and vulnerable.
As the situation unfolds, thousands remain on high alert, hoping for relief as firefighters battle the flames threatening their homes and communities.
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