A fast-moving wildfire, dubbed the Hughes Fire, has put more than 50,000 residents under evacuation orders or warnings in Castaic, California, as it continues to tear through the rugged mountains north of Los Angeles. Despite the fire’s rapid spread, officials are cautiously optimistic about containment efforts, thanks to improved weather conditions and a robust firefighting response.
Fire Spread and Evacuations
A wildfire that broke out late Wednesday spread quickly over about 15 square miles of trees and brush near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation site 40 miles north of Los Angeles. The fire immediately led to evacuation orders for more than 31,000 people, with another 23,000 under warning.
Firefighters-response efforts
Firefighters, with the aid of water-dropping aircraft, began rapidly attacking the blaze. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone emphasized that this time, unlike recent fires like the destructive Eaton and Palisades fires, the winds were calmer, which favored efforts to put out the flames. Aircraft could deliver tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant, mostly in the southern perimeter, where the fire would likely spread.
Over 4,000 firefighters are fighting the Hughes Fire, and authorities reopened parts of Interstate 5 late Wednesday after temporarily closing a 30-mile stretch for emergency operations. Although the fire has progressed, it is still dangerous because wind speeds, which reached 42 mph Wednesday afternoon, are expected to increase to 60 mph by Thursday.
Local Impact and Community Concerns
The residents in the affected areas are worried. Kayla Amara, a nurse from Valencia, described the stress of dealing with multiple wildfires in recent weeks. Amara, who was helping a friend evacuate, took measures to protect the property by hosing down the house while flames loomed in the distance.
“Other people are doing the same,” Amara said. “I just hope there’s something left to come back to.”
Southern California is also preparing for a chance of rain that could hold down the fire but may cause mudslides where the wildfire scorches such areas.
Given winds may not let up anytime soon, firefighters are busy battling efforts that may protect lives and property along the path of the Hughes Fire.
