The Hughes Fire in Los Angeles has now burned more than 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained, city fire officials announced Thursday.
The Hughes Fire, first reported Wednesday morning, first started in the unincorporated community of Castaic in northwestern Los Angeles County. The infection spread rapidly, thanks to strong winds that made firefighting efforts difficult for weeks.
Officials say more than 4,000 firefighters are assigned to the Hughes Fire.
“The weather is primarily driving this fire and its spread at this time. The Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Friday,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone said in a statement. “Even though we have the upper hand, the fire remains difficult to contain.”
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A house burns as the Palisades Fire rages in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles, California on January 11, 2025. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)
The fire forced the evacuation of about 50,000 people and temporarily closed Interstate 5 on Wednesday.
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Earlier in the day, Cal Fire urged residents in several areas near the Hughes Fire, including near Castaic Lake, Paradise Ranch and Ridgeroot, to leave immediately.
“Imminent threat to life. This is a lawful command to leave now,” the California Fire alert reads. “This area is legally prohibited from public access.”
A helicopter descends amidst smoke from the Palisades Fire in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025. (Reuters/Daniel Dreyfuss)
There were also reports of a fire in Sepulveda Pass near Sherman Oaks. The fire was initially reported to be 1 acre, but the Los Angeles Fire Department later reported that the fire had reached approximately 40 acres and had stopped progressing.
“The evacuation alert has been lifted. There is no damage to the building and no injuries have been reported. Firefighters will remain on scene overnight conducting mop-up operations to ensure there are no remaining hot spots. Traffic may continue to be affected on Highway 405 due to equipment work “along the highway,'' the notice stated.
Mayor Karen Bass said the fire is under control but all Angelenos should heed warnings from public safety officials.
“Air support and other aggressive actions are being deployed to fight a new fire just east of the 405,” she posted on X, adding, “To all Angelenos in the area, please stay safe. Please follow the guidance of public safety authorities.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass finishes a press conference after visiting the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in response to the wildfires in Los Angeles, California, on January 14, 2025. (Reuters/Daniel Cole)
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The new wildfires come in the midst of a deadly wildfire season in the Golden State, and firefighters have been battling devastating Southern California wildfires for weeks.
FOX News' Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
