Fast-spreading Hughes fire forces evacuations across LA county
A sprawling wildfire recently erupted in Los Angeles County on Wednesday, prompting evacuation orders impacting tens of thousands of California residents.
The Hughes Fire, which was first reported on Wednesday morning, was first located in the unincorporated community of Castaic in northwestern Los Angeles County.
As of 5 p.m. local time, the fire was 0% contained and had burned over 9,400 acres, with zero structures damaged or destroyed, officials said during a news conference. More than 4,000 fire personnel are assigned to Hughes Fire.
“The weather is what is predominantly driving this fire and its spread right now. A red flag warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Friday,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said. “It remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand.”
Over 50,000 people have been affected either by evacuation orders or warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who said Interstate 5 remains closed, but may reopen later Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, Cal Fire urged residents in several regions near the Hughes Fire to leave immediately, including the vicinity of Castaic Lake, Paradise Ranch and the Ridge Route.
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A vehicle rides past a hillside engulfed in flames caused by the Hughes Fire in Castaic, Calif., Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
“Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW,” the Cal Fire alert reads. “The area is lawfully closed to public access.”
Residents east of Lake Piru in neighboring Ventura County were also ordered to evacuate, along with students and teachers at Castaic High School, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
Aerials show smoke billowing near Castaic Lake, a reservoir in the Sierra Pelona Mountains.
The new fire comes amid a deadly wildfire season in the Golden State, as firefighters have battled destructive Southern California blazes for weeks.
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Andrew Aguilar sprays water from the top of the roof at his brother’s home Castaic, Calif., as a large plume of smoke caused by the Hughes Fire rises from Castaic Lake on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Hughes Fire burns north of Los Angeles on Wednesday near Castaic, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The Pacific Palisades fire, which began on Jan. 7, is still burning and has claimed at least 11 lives and over 6,500 structures.
Other residents near the Hughes Fire, such as those living in the vicinity of Oak Canyon or Hungry Valley, are warned to evacuate but not ordered to do so.
Residents are encouraged to visit the Cal Fire website to determine whether they need to evacuate.
A fire truck drives past flames caused by the Hughes Fire in Castaic, Calif., Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Fox News Digital reached out to Castaic Unified School District for additional information.
