The Hughes Fire, fueled by strong winds, has rapidly spread across over 15 square miles, prompting evacuations for over 50,000 people. The blaze poses a significant threat to communities near Lake Castaic, and firefighters are battling to contain the fire.
A massive wildfire, known as the Hughes Fire , erupted north of Los Angeles , California , on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, prompting evacuations for over 50,000 people. The blaze, fueled by strong, dry Santa Ana winds, rapidly consumed over 15 square miles of brush and trees near Lake Castaic , a popular recreation area about 40 miles from the city. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts reaching 42 mph, with an expected increase to 60 mph by Thursday evening.
The fire's rapid spread and the threat of wind-driven embers prompted the closure of a 30-mile stretch of Interstate 5, a major north-south artery. Firefighters battled the blaze from both the ground and the air, employing water-dropping aircraft and ground crews to prevent the fire from crossing the interstate and reaching the populated areas of Castaic. Residents living near the fire perimeter took precautionary measures, hosing down their properties and packing belongings in anticipation of potential evacuations.Adding to the concerns, the Hughes Fire occurred amidst the ongoing impacts of two other major wildfires – the Palisades and Eaton Fires – which have been burning since January 7th. These fires have already claimed over 14,000 structures and caused widespread damage. LA County officials expressed concerns about the potential for mud and debris flows in fire-affected areas as rain was predicted for the weekend. Meanwhile, the LA County public health department issued warnings about the potential health risks associated with ash from the fires, advising residents to wear protective gear during cleanup efforts. The ongoing wildfires have placed a significant strain on resources and highlighted the increasing threat of wildfires in Southern California
Wildfire Hughes Fire Los Angeles Evacuation Santa Ana Winds California Lake Castaic Firefighters Interstate 5 Red Flag Warning
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Huge Wildfire Forces Thousands to Evacuate Near Los AngelesA fast-moving wildfire, known as the Hughes Fire, has scorched over 12 square miles in rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, prompting evacuations for nearly 20,000 residents. The fire, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, forced the closure of a 30-mile stretch of Interstate 5. Meanwhile, two major blazes, the Palisades and Eaton fires, continue to burn in Southern California, raising concerns about potential mudslides and toxic ash.
Read more »
Could a massive wildfire devastate Metro Vancouver similar to Los Angeles?'We are not immune,' says an expert.
Read more »
Wildfire Forces Thousands to Flee as Windstorm Rages in Los AngelesA fast-moving wildfire fueled by a fierce windstorm has erupted in the Los Angeles hills, prompting evacuations of thousands of residents. The blaze, which has already consumed parts of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, is threatening over 13,000 structures. Forecasters warn the worst is yet to come with the windstorm expected to last for days, bringing gusts of up to 160 km/h. Power outages have been implemented to prevent equipment from sparking new fires, and traffic is severely impacted.
Read more »
Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Los Angeles HillsA fast-moving wildfire fueled by strong winds prompted evacuations in the Los Angeles hills on Tuesday, threatening thousands of homes and structures.
Read more »
Thousands Evacuated as Massive Wildfire Rages through California's Pacific PalisadesThe Palisades Fire, fueled by dry brush and strong Santa Ana winds, has spread to over 2,900 acres, threatening 13,000 structures and forcing the evacuation of 30,000 residents from Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. The blaze ignited Tuesday morning near Piedra Morada Drive and rapidly intensified, prompting evacuations and reports of residents trapped in buildings.
Read more »
Massive Battery Plant Fire Forces Evacuations in CaliforniaA major fire at a battery storage plant in Moss Landing, California, has led to the evacuation of 1,700 people and the closure of a major highway. The blaze, which started Thursday, is sending up plumes of toxic smoke and is still burning as of Friday morning. The plant, owned by Vistra Energy, contains tens of thousands of lithium batteries. Fire crews are allowing the fire to burn out on its own due to the difficulty in extinguishing lithium battery fires.
Read more »