The Hughes fire map reveals how far the wildfire has spread near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County. Also called the Clarita fire, the blaze was first reported by Cal Fire at 10:54 AM PT on Wednesday, January 22, at only 50 acres around Castaic Lake. But within a few hours the department reports that it has already exploded to over 5,000 acres. Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings have been issued, as the fire grows due to the dry vegetation in the area. Here’s what we know so far about the Hughes fire.
What is the Hughes fire map now?
[Update] The Hughes fire has expanded to over 8,096 acres burned and now includes both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, according to a status update of The Hughes fire at around 4:00 PM PT. The Los Angeles County Fire Department will be holding a press conference today at 5:00 PM at College of the Canyons.
[Original] As of 1:11 PM PT on Wednesday, the Hughes fire has burned over 5,505 acres with 0% containment. Multiple zones in red on the map below are under a mandatory evacuation order with many zones in yellow under an evacuation warning.
A status update on the fire from Cal Fire says that it has “a rapid rate of spread and spotting.” Local news outlet Fox 11 Los Angeles shows thick black smoke rising creating a dark plume that can be seen for miles and residents attempting to save their homes by damping them with water from a garden hose.
In addition to the dry foliage, moderate wind speeds and low humidity have contributed to the quick spread of the Hughes fire. A red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Los Angeles and Ventura counties and remains in effect until 8 PM PST on Thursday. Northeast winds from 20 to 30 mph and up to 50 mph Wednesday afternoon, coupled with low humidity around 1 to 3%, will make it more difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze.
Current road closures including Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn, Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes and Templin Hwy, I-5 Northbound near Parker Rd Off Ramp and Lake Hughes Rd off, and Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd.
Residents can evacuate to Valencia High School at 27801 Dickson Dr, Valencia, California 91355.
The Hughes fire comes quickly off the heels of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which are still burning in Los Angeles but have been mostly contained. Firefighters in San Diego, which also started on Wednesday, battled the Rancho Bernardo fire as well.
