- Thousands evacuated as fast-moving wildfire breaks out near Los Angeles
- Hughes Fire has erupted in Los Angeles County
- The blaze quickly grew to over 9,200 acres within hours, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation
Thousands evacuated as fast-moving wildfire breaks out near Los Angeles
A rapidly growing wildfire, named the Hughes Fire, has erupted in Los Angeles County, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The fire ignited Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, in a mountainous area close to homes and schools.
The blaze quickly grew to over 9,200 acres within hours, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation. While no homes or businesses have been damaged, fire officials remain cautious as conditions continue to pose challenges. Aircraft are being used to drop water and fire retardant, while residents have been seen hosing down their properties in preparation.
The area is under a red flag warning due to strong winds of 20–30 mph (32–48 km/h) and low humidity, which increase the risk of the fire spreading. Officials fear the winds could intensify, complicating containment efforts.
Approximately 31,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 23,000 on standby to leave if conditions worsen, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. A local jail is also evacuating nearly 500 inmates for safety.
This new fire comes as Los Angeles County continues to battle two massive blazes that destroyed neighbourhoods earlier this month. Firefighters are working urgently to prevent further devastation in the region.