CASTAIC, California – Powerful winds and bone-dry conditions were expected to challenge firefighters. They battled new wildfires in southern California on Jan 23. A new blaze swelled over the past day. It forced tens of thousands to evacuate north of Los Angeles.
The Hughes fire is located about 80km north of Los Angeles. It grew to 4,118ha since igniting on the morning of Jan 22. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, provided this information on its website.
The 4,000 firefighters battling the blaze have achieved 14 per cent containment. This is a measure of the percentage of a fire’s perimeter that is under control. Cal Fire added this information.
Crews faced strong Santa Ana winds while fighting the Hughes Fire. They also battled two other massive Los Angeles blazes: Palisades and Eaton. Winds were expected to reach up to 80 kmh, with gusts hitting 105 kmh. Humidity levels were predicted to drop below 10 percent throughout the day and into Jan 24, forecasters said.
“Dangerous fire weather conditions will persist through (Jan 24). Fuels stay extremely dry and ready to burn. (Jan 23) is the period of greatest concern,” the National Weather Service said in an advisory. “Any fire that starts can grow fast and out of control.”
About 31,000 people were evacuated on Jan 22. The fire sent huge flames and plumes of smoke over a hilly terrain. This happened in the Castaic Lake area near Santa Clarita.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have caused significant devastation. They leveled entire neighbourhoods on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles. Over the past two weeks, the fires have killed 28 people. They have also damaged or destroyed nearly 16,000 structures.
Helicopters battling the Hughes Fire scooped water out of a lake. They used the water to drop on the fire. Aeroplanes dropped fire retardant on the hills, as video on KTLA television showed. Flames spread to the water’s edge.
Eyewitness video showed the skies north of Los Angeles tinted orange on the afternoon of Jan 23. The Hughes Fire was expanding rapidly.
A smaller blaze, called the Sepulveda Fire, was burning along the 405 freeway near the Getty Museum. The museum is home to numerous art treasures. This occurred in the San Fernando Valley on Jan 23.
The brush fire was 16ha and 0 per cent contained. It briefly caused part of the heavily traveled highway to be closed. Some nearby residents were evacuated overnight.
Southern California has gone without significant rain for nine months. This has contributed to hazardous conditions. But, some rain was forecast from Jan 25 to 27. It could give firefighters much-needed relief.
As of Jan 23 morning, the Eaton Fire had scorched about 5,670ha east of Los Angeles. It was 95 per cent contained. The larger Palisades Fire consumed about 9,490ha on the west side of Los Angeles. It stood at 70 per cent contained, Cal Fire said. REUTERS
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