Firefighters Battle Intense Hughes Fire as Southern California Faces Extreme Winds
Firefighters in Southern California are racing to contain a rapidly expanding wildfire near Los Angeles, with officials warning that Thursday poses the greatest threat due to intensifying winds.
The Hughes Fire, located about 45 miles north of Los Angeles, has spread to over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The region is already grappling with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that have claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed entire neighborhoods.
Authorities have managed to contain 14% of the fire’s perimeter, but forecasts of strong winds are expected to challenge containment efforts further. Winds in the area currently range between 20-30 mph (32-48 km/h) but could intensify, complicating firefighting operations, particularly from the air.
The National Weather Service extended its red-flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until Friday morning, highlighting the extreme fire risk. “Conditions are ripe for fires to grow rapidly and become uncontrollable. Residents in high-risk areas must remain prepared,” officials warned.
The fire has engulfed hilly terrain near the Castaic Lake area, threatening residential neighborhoods and schools. Evacuation orders impacted over 31,000 people on Wednesday, with residents frantically hosing down their homes or fleeing the area.
Climate change has exacerbated fire conditions in the region, with recent years marked by alternating dry and wet periods creating vast stretches of tinder-dry vegetation. Scientists attribute these extreme conditions to a changing climate, making California increasingly vulnerable to destructive wildfires.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that nearly 500 inmates from a local jail were evacuated as a precaution. Meanwhile, officials noted that the Hughes Fire is distinct from the earlier Palisades and Eaton fires, which caused widespread devastation earlier this month.
Despite the current dry conditions, relief may be on the horizon. Rain is forecast to arrive in southwestern California this weekend, with showers expected to begin Saturday afternoon and continue through Monday night. While rainfall totals may reach half an inch in most areas, the San Gabriel Mountains could see up to 1.5 inches (4 cm).
However, the anticipated rain brings its own risks. Burned areas are particularly vulnerable to mudslides, flooding, and landslides due to the diminished absorbency of scorched soil.
Further south, two smaller fires near San Diego and Oceanside were also reported on Wednesday. The Lilac Fire, which burned 85 acres, is now fully contained, while evacuation orders from the nearby Center Fire, which has scorched four acres, have been lifted.
Dana Dierkes, a spokesperson for the Angeles National Forest, stressed the challenges firefighters face. “Wildfires in California are no longer limited to a season—they’re now a year-round threat. The dry conditions, combined with Santa Ana winds, make these fires especially difficult to combat,” she said.