For the latest information, evacuation orders and warnings for the Hughes Fire in Castaic, go to fire.ca.gov
LOS ANGELES (CNS) – With conditions improving on the fire lines and containment growing, evacuation orders and warnings were dramatically scaled back Thursday around the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake.
While evacuation orders remained in place for areas around the immediate perimeter of the fire, other nearby neighborhoods were reduced from evacuation orders to warnings, while warnings were lifted in most other areas, including in the bulk of the Castaic community itself.
Sheriff’s officials urged residents returning to their homes to do so with caution, noting continued poor air quality to due ash and smoke, and the dangers of fire debris. Residents were urged to wear N-95 masks, limit outdoor activities and keep their windows and doors closed.
The Hughes Fire was reported at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in a remote area east of the lake, according to Cal Fire. Aided by gusting Santa Ana winds and thick, dry vegetation, the fire exploded over thousands of acres, reaching 9,450 acres as of early Wednesday evening.
But thanks to an aggressive aerial attack on the fire, the flames were dramatically slowed by nightfall. As of Thursday morning, the fire was mapped at 10,176 acres. Angeles National Forest officials, who were battling the fire alongside Los Angeles County crews, said the fire was 24% as of Thursday afternoon.
More than a dozen water- and retardant-dropping aircraft responded to the fire Wednesday, including the county’s two leased Super Scooper fixed-wing planes, along with DC-10 airliners capable to dumping thousands of gallons of retardant.
By early evening Wednesday, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the “situation remains dynamic and the fire remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand.”
Marrone said winds fanned the flames early on, but he noted that they “were not those 70, 80, 90 mph winds that we experienced” on Jan. 7, when the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires erupted in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, respectively.
At the height of the fire, evacuation orders were issued for a wide area surrounding Castaic Lake, including the entire Castaic community. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said about 31,000 people were under evacuation orders at the fire’s peak, and another 25,000 were under evacuation warnings.
The Golden State (5) Freeway was closed in both directions between Grapevine Road on the north and state Route 126 on the south as the fire raged, but it was reopened early Wednesday evening, with smoke no longer causing visibility concerns on the roadway.
Marrone credited the pre-positioning of state fire crews and the rapid response of aerial assets for allowing crews to get a quick jump on the fire, despite the fire’s early speed.
It was unclear what sparked the fire, which erupted during persistent red flag fire conditions that had been expected to expire Thursday night, but were extended until 10 a.m. Friday.
NWS forecasters said winds in the fire area could increase again Thursday. Rain is expected to fall in the region over the weekend, but likely only a quarter- to half-inch.
All schools in the Castaic Union School District were closed on Thursday.
College of the Canyons closed both of its campuses in the Santa Clarita area when the fire erupted Wednesday, and they remained closed Thursday. Online classes will meet as scheduled.
A temporary evacuation center for people displaced by the fire was originally established at Hart High School, 24825 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita, but the Red Cross established an evacuation shelter at College of the Canyons East Gym, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road.
Small animals can be taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Highway. Small and large animals can be taken to Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Avenue I. Large animals can also be taken to Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills.
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