For the latest information, evacuation orders and warnings for the Hughes Fire in Castaic, go to fire.ca.gov
LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Firefighters assigned to the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake worked overnight to increase containment lines from 36% to 56% as they planned to be ready for the forecast shift of winds from Santa Ana to onshore.
“This may create erratic shifts that crews are prepping for to immediately and aggressively attack any new problem areas,” Angeles National Forest officials said in a morning update. The Red Flag Warning was due to expire at 10 a.m.
Some 1,745 firefighters remained on the job clearing a perimeter of vegetation around the burn area despite extreme fire behavior, steep terrain and low humidity, officials said. They would remain available in Castaic, Santa Claraita and other communities potentially threatened by the fire.
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. An aggressive aerial attack on the fire dramatically slowed the spread by nightfall. As of Thursday evening, the fire was mapped at 10,396 acres.
It was still unclear what sparked the fire.
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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