Thousands Evacuated as Hughes Fire Rages in Southern California, Officials Warn of Critical Fire Conditions

Southern California is facing critical fire conditions as thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders due to the Hughes Fire near Castaic, a community in northern Los Angeles County. The fire, which began Wednesday morning, has scorched over 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Approximately 31,000 residents in the Castaic area are under evacuation orders, while another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. Castaic, located about 15 miles northwest of Santa Clarita and bordering Angeles National Forest, is surrounded by dry, grassy hills that have exacerbated fire conditions.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone highlighted the extensive resources deployed to combat the fire, which spans both Los Angeles and Ventura counties. “We have over 4,000 firefighting personnel assigned to the incident,” he said, noting a "robust" ground and air response.

Despite progress, Marrone warned, “The situation remains dynamic, and the fire remains a difficult fire to contain.”

The Hughes Fire follows the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires, which burned more than 40,000 acres and claimed 28 lives since January 7.

Unlike those fires, which were fueled by powerful winds that grounded firefighting aircraft, current conditions are more favorable, with calmer winds allowing helicopters to perform water drops throughout the night, according to Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher.

Still, challenges remain. The National Weather Service has extended a red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Friday morning, citing strong Santa Ana winds.

These winds, which intensified late Wednesday, are expected to decrease by Thursday afternoon but will continue to sustain dangerous fire weather conditions.

The Hughes Fire has disrupted daily life across the region. Students from Castaic Middle School and Castaic High School were evacuated to safe locations, while North Lake Elementary students were moved to the Castaic Sports Complex.

In addition, College of the Canyons closed its Valencia and Canyon Country campuses as a precautionary measure.

A county jail in Castaic, which houses up to 4,295 inmates, was partially evacuated, with 470 inmates relocated within the facility. Sheriff Luna assured that contingency plans are in place should a full evacuation become necessary.

Data from Orora Technologies revealed that the fire started just north of Castaic Lake at 10:45 a.m., with thick brush and grasslands fueling its rapid spread. Fire officials confirmed the fire’s likely trajectory toward the south and west, putting Castaic at significant risk.

“The conditions we’re seeing are incredibly dry and steep,” said Angeles National Forest spokesperson Dana Dierkes. “There are homes in the general vicinity and in the immediate area.” Firefighting efforts include at least 10 aircraft conducting aerial suppression, as well as extensive ground operations.

Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler emphasized the importance of evacuation orders, urging residents to follow the instructions of local authorities. “We are not out of the woods yet,” Tyler warned, adding that the dry vegetation and strong winds remain a recipe for fast-growing fires.

The Angeles National Forest remains closed to the public through January 24, as authorities work to contain the blaze and mitigate further damage.

The Hughes Fire underscores the persistent threat of wildfires in Southern California, fueled by dry vegetation, steep terrain, and unpredictable weather. Officials continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to stay alert and comply with evacuation directives to ensure their safety.