Firefighters Gain Ground Against New Wildfire in Northern Los Angeles
Firefighters managed to prevent a new wildfire from spreading further north of Los Angeles on Thursday, following its rapid growth the previous day. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a $2.5 billion relief package aimed at assisting areas hit hard by recent fires.
The Hughes Fire ignited on Wednesday, located about 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles, as emergency crews continued to fight two other blazes on the eastern and western edges of the city. These ongoing fires have been active for more than two weeks.
Initially, the Hughes Fire charred roughly 10,176 acres (41 square km), but the size remained stable throughout Thursday as around 4,000 firefighters employed aerial water drops and ground efforts using tools and hoses. The containment level, a measure of how much of the fire’s perimeter is under control, increased to 24% from 14% earlier that day, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
As the fire raged, evacuation orders were issued for about 31,000 residents, with another 16,000 under evacuation warnings. Smoke billowed over the hilly landscape near Castaic Lake, close to Santa Clarita.
Firefighters faced challenges from strong winds and low humidity, conditions that are expected to continue into Friday.
In related news, wildfires in France have forced thousands to evacuate their homes. In Los Angeles, weather forecasts predict rain and mountain snow from Saturday to Monday, which could provide some much-needed relief but might also lead to new dangers.
The National Weather Service cautioned that there is a small risk of thunderstorms over burn areas, which could lead to mudslides. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the city’s proactive measures, including installing barriers, clearing fire debris, and managing stormwater to minimize risks.
Closer to the metropolitan area, the Eaton and Palisades fires have been burning for 17 days and have devastated entire neighborhoods, resulting in 28 fatalities and damaging nearly 16,000 structures. Cal Fire reported that the Eaton Fire is now 95% contained, while the Palisades Fire is 72% contained.
Smaller fires, including the Sepulveda Fire that ignited early Thursday morning, have also posed a threat. This fire burned about 45 acres near the busy 405 freeway, leading to temporary highway closures and some evacuations.
As President Donald Trump prepares to visit California on Friday to assess fire damages, Governor Newsom’s relief initiative comes at a crucial time. The state funding will support ongoing firefighting efforts, recovery operations, and debris removal. Nonetheless, experts warn that much more federal aid may be needed, with accounting firm AccuWeather estimating damages and economic losses might exceed $250 billion.
In a recent interview, Trump criticized California’s water management practices, hinting at withholding federal funds until changes are made. Newsom refuted these claims, stating that the state’s conservation efforts do not affect fire suppression capabilities. He emphasized the importance of addressing misinformation regarding water supply issues during firefighting efforts.
Newsom noted, “The State Water Project does not relate to water supplies for putting out municipal fires,” highlighting the confusion surrounding this topic.
