Hughes Fire Reaches 10,000 Acres, 36% Contained; 31,000 Evacuated, 54,900 Under Warning in LA County

Jan 23, 2025, 07:06 PM

The Hughes Fire, which erupted near Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County, has grown to over 10,000 acres, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for more than 31,000 people. The fire, fueled by high winds, was reported at 10:24 a.m. on Wednesday and quickly spread to 5,000 acres in less than three hours. By Thursday evening, the fire was 36% contained, with no structures reported destroyed. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department issued evacuation warnings for nearly 54,900 people, advising them to be prepared to leave if necessary. The Castaic Union School District announced the closure of all its campuses on Thursday due to the fire. The region remains under a red flag warning due to critical fire weather conditions, with the National Weather Service warning that any new fire could grow rapidly and out of control. The Hughes Fire follows the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed thousands of homes since January 7. California lawmakers have approved a $2.5 billion fire relief package to aid recovery efforts. Rights groups are urging the evacuation of the Pitchess Detention Center, which houses 4,700 prisoners and is in the evacuation zone. Health experts are warning residents about the presence of toxic chemicals, including lead, asbestos, and arsenic, in the ashes of the recent fires.