Thousands flee their homes as a fast-spreading blaze threatens communities near Castaic Lake

A rapidly advancing wildfire has ignited in Los Angeles County, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate areas already devastated by recent catastrophic fires. The Hughes fire, which broke out on Wednesday morning, is located about 45 miles (72km) north-west of Los Angeles near Castaic Lake, a region bordered by residential zones and schools.

Within hours, the fire grew to over 10,000 acres, fuelled by high winds and dry vegetation. Fortunately, no homes or businesses have been destroyed yet, and authorities remain hopeful that they can contain the fire soon.

This new fire is situated to the north of two major blazes that have wreaked havoc on the region earlier this month. As the fire spread, local residents were seen desperately trying to protect their properties by watering down their homes and gardens, while others hastened to evacuate.

Aerial units have been actively working to combat the flames, dropping water and flame retardant, as the surrounding mountains glowed orange. The region remains under a red flag warning, which will extend through Thursday, highlighting the high risk of further fires due to strong winds and dry conditions.

Wind speeds in the area are around 20-30mph (32-48km/h), but could increase, making it more difficult for firefighting crews to control the blaze. Scientists have linked such extreme fire behaviour to climate change, noting that the region’s vegetation is now more susceptible to burning because of fluctuating dry and wet conditions in recent years.

Around 31,000 people are currently under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 23,000 warned that they may soon be required to leave. Additionally, nearly 500 inmates from a nearby jail have been relocated. Despite the challenges, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone expressed optimism that fire crews are making progress, with the fire 14% contained by Thursday morning.

Unlike the earlier blazes that have caused significant loss of life and property, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, the Hughes fire is being helped by lower wind speeds and the presence of more aerial firefighting resources.

Nevertheless, the fire continues to grow as night falls, and officials remain on high alert. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are urging residents to stay prepared for any changes.

Elsewhere in the state, two additional fires near San Diego and Oceanside were also ignited, though the Lilac fire has been fully contained, and evacuation orders have been lifted for most areas.

As California grapples with these wildfires, experts warn that the state’s fire season is no longer confined to summer months. “We have a fire year, not just a fire season,” said Dana Dierkes, a spokesperson for the Angeles National Forest, acknowledging that Santa Ana winds exacerbate the problem, especially after a dry year.

Rain is expected later in the week, offering some hope in controlling the fires, though it brings new risks of mudslides and flooding in areas recently scorched by flames. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to mobilise resources for flood preparation, with crews already filling sandbags to protect vulnerable areas.

As the state battles both wildfires and the threat of subsequent floods, residents and officials remain on edge, facing an unpredictable and perilous situation.