More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings on Wednesday after a huge and fast-moving wildfire swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, as parched Southern California endured another round of dangerous winds and two major previous blazes continued to smolder.
The Hughes Fire broke out in the late morning and within hours charred more than 39 square km of trees and brush, sending up plumes of dark smoke near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 64 km from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.
More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate, and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the fire remains difficult to contain but firefighters are getting the upper hand.
Parts of Interstate 5 that had been closed will shortly be reopened, Luna said.
A 48 km stretch of Interstate 5, a major north-south artery, was closed as flames raced along hilltops and down into wooded canyons. Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving across the interstate and toward Castaic.
Winds in the area were gusting at 67 kph in the afternoon but were expected to increase to 96 kph by later in the evening and Thursday, the National Weather Service said on X.
To the south, Los Angeles officials began to prepare for potential rain even as some residents were allowed to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
Gusty weather was expected to last through Thursday and precipitation was possible starting Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
"Rains are in the forecast and the threat of mud and debris flow in our fire-impacted communities is real," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a Wednesday morning news conference.
Fire crews were filling sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleared drainage pipes and basins.
Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended through 10 a.m. Friday in LA and Ventura counties. Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and
Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue watching for hot spots.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the city's website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event. LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer cautioned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials.
"Even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems," Ferrer said on Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning up.
The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28
people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out January 7.
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