In the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, a new blaze called the ‘Hughes Fire’ has forced evacuation orders for over 50,000 people in California. The fire, which broke out late Wednesday morning, has already scorched 9,400 acres and remains at zero percent containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire).
Thick plumes of smoke were seen near Lake Castaic, a popular recreational area in northwestern Los Angeles, around 40 kilometers from the still-burning Eaton and Palisades fires. These fires have been raging for nearly three weeks. As of now, the Palisades fire has consumed 23,448 acres and is 68% contained, while the Eaton fire is 91% contained after burning 14,021 acres.
Other fires in the region include the Lilac Fire in San Diego, which is 95% contained, and the Clay Fire in Riverside, where 45% of the blaze has been brought under control.
CAL Fire Director Joe Tyler spoke at a press briefing on Wednesday evening, stating, “The Hughes fire received a robust response today, and responders are doing great work to contain it. But we’re certainly not out of the woods yet.”
In addition to the Hughes Fire, CAL Fire reported another blaze called ‘Center Fire’ in San Diego County, which has burned 4 acres so far.
Evacuations and Firefighting Efforts
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that more than 31,000 people have been evacuated, while 23,000 others are under evacuation warnings. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that although the fire remains challenging to control, firefighters are gaining the upper hand, especially since the winds are not as strong as they were two weeks ago. This has allowed air crews to drop tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the southern edge of the blaze.
However, the National Weather Service has issued a warning that winds, currently gusting at 42 mph, are expected to reach 60 mph by Thursday. The agency cautioned that these gusty winds combined with low humidity will continue to create critical fire weather conditions in Southern California, making conditions “increasingly dangerous” overnight into Thursday.
Personal Stories and Health Concerns
As the fire approached her friend’s home in Castaic’s Stonegate neighborhood, nurse Kayla Amara rushed to help. “Other people are hosing down their houses too. I hope there’s a house here to return to,” she said as she worked to protect the home from the growing blaze. She expressed her anxiety about the ongoing fires in LA, noting, “It’s been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home, it’s just super stressful.”
Mayor Karen Bass warned residents that the winds could carry toxic ash from the fires, advising them to check the city’s website for tips on protecting themselves. LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cautioned that the ash could contain heavy metals and arsenic, which can cause skin irritation and more serious health issues with even brief exposure. She urged residents to wear protective gear when cleaning up.
