A massive wildfire in Southern California has rapidly expanded, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate areas north of Los Angeles.
The Hughes Fire, located roughly 50 miles north of the city, has grown to over 10,000 acres since it began early Wednesday, according to Cal Fire. So far, only 14% of the fire’s perimeter has been contained, despite the efforts of 4,000 firefighters working around the clock.
Firefighters are facing additional challenges due to powerful Santa Ana winds, which are expected to reach speeds of up to 50 mph, with gusts hitting 65 mph. Combined with humidity levels dropping below 10%, these conditions create a perfect storm for the wildfire to spread rapidly. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about the dangerous fire weather, calling Thursday the most critical period for fire growth.
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The Hughes Fire has already forced the evacuation of approximately 31,000 people as flames and smoke engulf the hilly terrain around Castaic Lake. Helicopters and airplanes are actively battling the blaze, using water and fire retardant to slow its spread, but flames have already reached the lake’s edge.
Other wildfires in the Los Angeles area have caused significant destruction. The Eaton and Palisades Fires, burning on the eastern and western sides of the city, have left 28 people dead and destroyed nearly 16,000 buildings over the past two weeks. As of Thursday morning, the Eaton Fire, which scorched 14,000 acres, was 95% contained, while the Palisades Fire, burning over 23,000 acres, was 70% contained.
A smaller fire, known as the Sepulveda Fire, ignited along the 405 freeway near the Getty Museum, briefly closing parts of the highway and prompting evacuations. This blaze covered 40 acres and remained uncontained as of Thursday.
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Southern California’s ongoing drought, with no significant rain in nine months, has made the area especially vulnerable to wildfires. However, rain is forecasted for the weekend, which could bring some relief to firefighters. Officials warn, though, that the rain might lead to mudslides in fire-damaged areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that the city is preparing for this by installing barriers, clearing debris, and managing stormwater.
President Donald Trump plans to visit the affected areas on Friday to assess the damage. In a recent interview, he criticized California’s wildfire response, threatening to cut federal funding if the state doesn’t revise its water management policies. Governor Gavin Newsom has dismissed Trump’s claims, calling them inaccurate and unhelpful during this crisis.