31,000 evacuated as Hughes fire rages Northwest of Los Angeles

A fast-moving wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate an area already devastated by recent destructive fires.

The Hughes Fire ignited Wednesday afternoon near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, in a mountainous region close to homes and schools. The blaze has rapidly expanded to over 9,400 acres, fuelled by strong winds and dry vegetation. While no structures have been damaged, approximately 31,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, and Interstate 5—a major highway spanning the U.S. West Coast—has been partially closed.

This latest wildfire is burning north of two major fires that destroyed multiple neighbourhoods in Los Angeles earlier this month. Meanwhile, two smaller blazes, the Lilac Fire near Oceanside and the Bernardo Fire near San Diego, have also been reported. Fire crews have largely contained these fires, with evacuation orders lifted in those areas.

Local news footage from Los Angeles County showed residents near the Hughes Fire hosing down their properties and scrambling to evacuate. Aircraft dropped water and flame retardant as bright orange flames lit up the hillsides.

The region is under a red flag warning, with fire risks heightened by strong winds and extremely dry conditions. Winds are currently blowing at 20-30 mph but are expected to intensify, potentially complicating firefighting efforts.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that 31,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, while another 23,000 are on high alert. Nearly 500 inmates from a local jail are also being evacuated.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reported progress in battling the flames but emphasized the challenge of containing the fire. “The situation remains dynamic, and the fire remains difficult to control, although we are gaining the upper hand,” he said.

Ed Fletcher of Cal Fire noted that while winds are not yet as severe as those in earlier fires this month, the dry conditions and potential wind escalation remain significant concerns. Castaic Lake is currently acting as a natural barrier, but Fletcher warned, “If it jumps the lake, it becomes a much more dynamic situation.”

One evacuee described the terrifying scene on Interstate 5, saying, “It looked like a cloud, but as you got close, it felt like driving into hell.” She expressed fear after witnessing recent fires in the area that killed 28 people and destroyed over 10,000 structures.

Dana Dierkes, a spokesperson for the Angeles National Forest, highlighted the continuous challenge of wildfires in California, exacerbated by the dry year and Santa Ana winds. “We don’t have a fire season in California. We have a fire year,” she said.

Rain is forecasted for the weekend, offering hope for relief, but it also raises concerns about mudslides and flooding in fire-scarred areas. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to allocate resources for flood and landslide preparation following the fires.