A brush fire erupted in the hills near Castaic, north of Los Angeles, on Wednesday, forcing evacuations and prompting the deployment of water-dropping aircraft. The fire quickly spread through dry brush, fueled by strong winds, and grew to over 8,000 acres by 5 p.m.
Evacuations were ordered in the area near Lake Hughes Road off the 5 Freeway on Wednesday as a brush fire grew at an alarming rate in the hills north of Los Angeles . The fire, reported at about 10:30 a.m. off the northbound 5 Freeway at Lake Hughes Road, quickly spread through thick dry hillside brush, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds . Within an hour, the fire had burned over 100 acres, jumping to 500 acres before noon and 3,400 acres about 30 minutes later. By 5 p.m.
, the fire had engulfed over 8,000 acres.At least a dozen water-dropping aircraft, including at least one tanker, were deployed to battle the blaze, about 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Firefighting crews took advantage of calmer morning conditions, utilizing aerial resources to drop water and retardants on the flames. However, strong winds were expected to pick up in the afternoon and evening, posing a significant challenge for firefighters. Gusts were already at 10 mph to 20 mph Wednesday morning, with the strongest winds predicted between midday and 6 p.m. Sustained winds over 40 miles per hour and high-velocity gusts can hinder firefighting aircraft's ability to safely approach and depart a targeted area, impacting both water and retardant drop accuracy.Details about the fire's ignition in Angeles National Forest were not immediately available. The forest has been closed since the start of the deadly Eaton Fire on January 7th northeast of Los Angeles. This closure order could be extended due to the high fire danger across the region following a dry spell after record rainfall last season. The dry conditions have left hillsides covered in dry brush, providing ample fuel for wildfires. Under a red flag warning, any fires that ignite are more likely to spread rapidly. Flying embers can also accelerate a brush fire's spread, with strong winds casting hot embers for miles, starting spot fires ahead of the main fire line. 'There's a critical rate of spread for this fire,' said LA County Fire public information officer Fred Fielding. 'This vegetation is extremely dry. We've had two years of above average rainfall (2023 and 2024)... so you've got a lot of these light grasses where these fires can start, and if it gets into that old growth vegetation there's a lot of energy there. Combine that with the winds, and you've got a recipe for a very high rate of spread.'
Brush Fire Evacuations Los Angeles California Wildfire Angeles National Forest Castaic Dry Conditions Strong Winds Firefighting Aircraft
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fast-Moving Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Los Angeles HillsThe Palisades Fire, fueled by strong winds, rapidly spreads through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, prompting evacuations and threatening thousands of structures.
Read more »
Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Live updates, start time, how to watch, oddsGary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams for the Los Angeles Times.
Read more »
Fast-Moving Wildfire Threatens Celebrity Homes in Los AngelesA wildfire fueled by strong winds rapidly spread through the Los Angeles hills, prompting evacuations and causing traffic chaos. The Palisades Fire consumed over 200 acres, sending a massive plume of smoke visible across the city. Firefighters battled the blaze alongside residents attempting to escape, with one official urging those abandoning their cars to leave their keys behind.
Read more »
Three Fast-Moving Wildfires Rage Across Los AngelesLos Angeles is grappling with three major wildfires fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, forcing mass evacuations and prompting urgent warnings from firefighters.
Read more »
Hughes Fire Rages in Southern California, Triggering Evacuations and Fueled by Strong WindsA new fire, dubbed the Hughes Fire, erupted north of Castaic, California, rapidly spreading and forcing evacuations. Fueled by strong winds, the blaze consumed over 5,000 acres in just two hours. Evacuations extended across Lake Castaic and surrounding areas, with residents scrambling to flee the advancing flames. The fire prompted concerns about the potential evacuation of the Los Angeles County Castaic jail complex due to a shortage of inmate transport buses.
Read more »
Todo sobre los incendios que azotan el área de Los ÁngelesLOS ÁNGELES (AP) — Intensos incendios forestales están arrasando zonas de Los Ángeles, quemando hogares y negocios, mientras los residentes huyen entre densas columnas de humo en barrios pintorescos que son hogar de muchas celebridades.
Read more »