A new wildfire erupted in Los Angeles County, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The Hughes fire ignited near Castaic Lake, approximately 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, on the morning of January 23, 2025. Within hours, the blaze expanded to over 10,000 acres, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation.
Currently, about 31,000 individuals are under mandatory evacuation orders, while an additional 23,000 have received warnings to prepare for possible evacuation. The fire has not yet caused damage to homes or businesses, and officials are optimistic about controlling it.
As fire crews work to contain the flames, they face challenges from winds blowing at 20-30 mph, which could intensify the blaze. The region is under a red flag warning due to the high fire risk associated with these conditions.
Los Angeles County fire chief Anthony Marrone reported that the fire was 14% contained early Thursday morning. He noted that the current fire situation is different from previous blazes that resulted in significant loss of life and property earlier this month.
In addition to the Hughes fire, two smaller fires ignited further south near San Diego. Rain is forecasted for the weekend, which could help mitigate the fire threat, though it raises concerns about potential mudslides and flooding in areas affected by recent wildfires.