A fast-moving wildfire fueled by high winds explodes to over 8,000 acres near Castaic, California, prompting mandatory evacuations for thousands. The Hughes Fire, which started near Castaic Lake, is spreading rapidly, forcing the closure of Interstate 5. The blaze threatens communities in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
A fast-moving wildfire, fueled by high winds, exploded to over 8,000 acres near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic on Wednesday, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for thousands of residents. The Hughes Fire erupted around 10:45 a.m. near Castaic Lake, off Lake Hughes Road, just north of Castaic Reservoir Road. Within an hour, it had surged to 500 acres. By 12:30 p.m.
, less than two hours after its initial report, the blaze had consumed a staggering 3,407 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). By 4 p.m., the fire had more than doubled in size, engulfing an estimated 8,096 acres. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) swiftly closed all lanes of Interstate 5 (I-5) through Grapevine. Northbound lanes were shut down at State Route 126, while southbound lanes were closed at Grapevine. Castaic, an unincorporated community in northwest Los Angeles County, is situated approximately 15 miles northwest of Santa Clarita, bordering the Angeles National Forest. A massive plume of smoke from the Hughes Fire was visible against the skyline near Six Flags Magic Mountain, the popular amusement park in the Santa Clarita Valley.While the wildfire originated in Los Angeles County, it posed a threat to communities just west of Castaic in neighboring Ventura County. Evacuation orders and some warnings were issued there later in the afternoon. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that 19,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders by 2:30 p.m. As the wildfire rapidly expanded beyond 5,000 acres in just two hours, residents were forced to flee, causing heavy traffic congestion on some roads. Authorities strived to maintain calm amidst the unfolding situation, issuing a series of updates and evacuation announcements in a rapidly changing scenario, reminiscent of the events earlier in the month. On January 7, two major wildfires ignited on opposite sides of Los Angeles County, claiming at least 28 lives as they ravaged tens of thousands of acres, destroying entire communities, including homes, schools, churches, grocery stores, and other essential buildings, particularly in the severely affected areas of Altadena and Pacific Palisades.'We're just asking people to - I know it's hard to say, but stay calm and just listen to first responders,' California Highway Patrol Officer Isabel Diaz urged residents on Wednesday afternoon as the Hughes Fire continued its relentless advance. 'It's a very active and chaotic scene at the moment, and we're all just trying our best to get everyone out safely.' The flames first erupted in an area of Los Angeles County, including the Santa Clarita Valley, which was under a red flag warning. Extremely low humidity and Santa Ana winds significantly heightened the risks of wildfire ignition and rapid growth. 'It does have a high potential for spread because we are looking at 32-mph winds as we speak,' LA County Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh stated. 'Those winds are expected to intensify as the afternoon progresses into the evening.'Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of state resources to Southern California to assist in the wildfire battle. Federal personnel from the Angeles National Forest were also actively involved in firefighting efforts. 'We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide the federal government with whatever it needs to extinguish this fire,' Newsom wrote on X. With an exceptionally dry winter in Southern California, experts have warned that vegetation in the region is particularly vulnerable and highly flammable. Wildfires during the fall and winter months in California can be particularly destructive due to dried-out shrubbery, acting as fuel for the flames, compounded by the seasonal dry Santa Ana winds that fan the fire's spread. This combination can result in rapidly growing blazes that are extremely difficult to control. 'This time of year is especially dangerous,' said Fred Fielding, spokesman for the LA County Fire Department. 'It's been almost 300 days since we've had any significant rainfall.' Currently, Angeles National Forest, where the Hughes Fire ignited, is closed to the public until Friday, January 24, to safeguard natural resources and public safety. Last summer, the Post Fire scorched over 15,000 acres in an area of Los Angeles and Ventura counties just north of the Hughes Fire.
Wildfire Hughes Fire Castaic California Evacuations Interstate 5 Closure Los Angeles County Ventura County Santa Ana Winds Red Flag Warning
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