A timelapse video has shown the Hughes fire explode, casting an enormous cloud of smoke over Los Angeles County in Southern California on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Hughes is the newest fire to ignite as Southern California has been overwhelmed with deadly blazes this month. The Palisades and Eaton fires, the largest in Los Angeles County, sparked numerous mandatory evacuations, destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 28 people.
What To Know
The Hughes fire has burned through over 5,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties since it started late Wednesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire)
A timelapse video created by the University of San Diego’s Alert California program showed smoke billowing from Los Angeles County’s mountainous terrian within the span of one hour.
Evacuation orders are in place for these zones:
- CAS-BISCAILUZ, CAS-BITTERCANYON, CAS-CAMBRIDGE, CAS-CASTAICLAKE, CAS-CHARLIECANYON, CAS-GOLDENSTATE, CAS-GREENHILL, CAS-HASLEY, CAS-HILLCREST, CAS-PARADISERANCH, CAS-RIDGE, CAS-ROMERO, CAS-SLOAN, LAC-E008, LAC-E029, LAC-FRANCISQUITO, SCL-KELLYJOHNSON, SCL-REYESADOBE, SCL-STERLING, SCL-TESORODELVALLE, VNC Zone 1.
Evacuation Warnings are in place for these zones:
- CAS-INDUSTRY, CAS-LIVEOAK, CAS-OAKCANYON, CAS-VALVERDE, GOR-E004, GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY, LAC-E005, LAC-E009-B, LAC-E011-A, LAC-E011-B, LAC-E016, LAC-E018, LAC-E030, SCL-BLACKPINE, SCL-CALEX, SCL-DECORO, SCL-MOUNTAINVIEW, SCL-PACIFICCREST, SCL-RANCHOTESORO, SCL-REYESABODE, SCL-RIONORTE, SCL-WESTHILLS, SCL-RYE, VNC Zone 2.
The fire has also prompted road closures in these locations:
- Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes
- Ridge Route Rd at Templin Hwy
- Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn
- Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd
- I-5 NB at Parker Rd Off Ramp and I-5 NB at Lake Hughes Rd off ramp will be shut down.
- Northbound I-5 all lanes closed just north of State Route 126.
- I-5 Grapevine
What Is The Difference Between An Evacuation Order And An Evacuation Warning?
An evacuation order is more serious than an evacuation warning as it means there’s an immediate threat to your life and you need to leave the area the moment the order is given.
An evacuation warning means there’s impending danger to your life or property, and you can assume an evacuation order will proceed. During an evacuation warning, it is important to gather your most important belongings to bring with you when the evacuation order is placed. People who need extra time to evacuate or have large animals should leave when an evacuation warning is issued rather than waiting for an evacuation order.
Red Flag Warning In Effect
The National Weather Service Los Angeles (NWS) issued red flag warnings for most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties amid strong Santa Ana winds.
Dry conditions coupled with the winds create “significant fire weather conditions,” the NWS Los Angeles said.
What Is A Red Flag Warning?
A red flag warning is used during an increased risk of “fire danger,” due to warm temperatures, low humidity and stronger winds, according to the NWS website.
What People Are Saying
NWS Meteorologist Ariel Cohen told Newsweek via phone on Wednesday: “There are critical fire conditions ongoing. Winds out of the northeast are 25-40 miles per hour. Winds tonight could gust up to 50-60 miles per hour.”
Cohen added that the Hughes Fire is a “critical situation with the potential conditions of the fire to grow explosively and rapidly.”
The NWS Los Angeles said on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday: “Significant fire weather conditions are ongoing into Thursday with an increase in winds expected (especially Thurs AM) and severely dry conditions. For wildfire preparedness guidance visit https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/.”
Angeles National Forest said on X on Wednesday: “#HughesFire Firefighters from Angeles National Forest is responding to a brush fire located off Lake Hughes Rd North of Castaic Reservoir Rd, Castaic.”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said in a status update on Wednesday, “Firefighters from Angeles National Forest, as well as surged CAL FIRE and local, state, federal, and tribal partners, are responding to a brush fire located off Lake Hughes Rd North of Castaic Reservoir Rd, Castaic.”
What Happens Next
According to the NWS Los Angeles, the red flag warning runs until Friday morning. The fire is currently zero percent contained and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
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