CONTACT US

Contact Form

    News Details

    No reported growth overnight in Hughes fire near Castaic as crews prepare for more tough weather
    • January 23, 2025

    Firefighters held the Hughes fire in check overnight, keeping the blaze at 10,176 acres with 14% containment as crews prepared for another day of critical fire weather, authorities said.

    The fire, burning near Castaic in the Antelope Valley, was first reported around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, and exploded in size thanks to strong Santa Ana winds, prompting evacuation orders and warnings and, at one point, a short shutdown of the 5 Freeway.

    More than 4,000 personnel were assigned to the fire and about a dozen aircraft were sent up to the Santa Clarita area to help ground crews, authorities said.

    Hughes fire surpasses 10,000 acres near Castaic; evacuations ordered and 5 Freeway reopens

    No structures have been reported damaged or destroyed as of Thursday morning.

    Crews overnight focused on extinguishing hot spots and flare ups, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday evening.

    “Overnight firefighters, with support from aircraft and dozers, fought aggressively and were challenged by extreme fire behavior, terrain, and weather,” Angeles National Forest officials said in a Thursday morning update. “Today, crews will continue focusing on establishing and holding control lines on all flanks of the fire.”

    Firefighters kept the fire from spreading to Elderberry Canyon, the Castaic Hydroelectric Power Plant and surrounding communities overnight, officials said.

    Crews were also focused Thursday on holding the fire within its footprint while protecting the Wayside Honor Rancho and structures along Charlie Canyon drainage, officials said. Additional fire engines were being staged within Castaic communities to prevent further spread.

    The Hughes broke out during a red flag warning for troublesome fire weather. That warning, by the National Weather Service, lasts until Friday, with wind gusts expected to peak on Thursday, Jan. 23, according to meteorologists.

    Firefighters could get a reprieve over the weekend, when light rain might arrive.

    Mandatory evacuation orders were impacting about 31,000 people as of Wednesday night, officials said, with another 23,000 under evacuation warnings.

    Deleted:

    Nearly 500 inmates were evacuated on Wednesday from one of the Pitchess Detention Center campuses in Castaic to a nearby correctional facility, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

    The cause of the fire was not known yet.Here’s what we know:

    • Acres burned: 10,176
    • Containment: 14%
    • Structures damaged: 0
    • Updated evacuations can be monitored here
    • 31,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders as of Wednesday night; 23,000 under evacuation warning
    • This map shows where the fire is burning
    • An evacuation center was set up at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita
    • Fire Personnel: More than 4,000

    This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

     Orange County Register 

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    News