Evacuations ordered as huge new fire sweeps near LA
Source: CNN
More than 50,000 people are under evacuation orders or warnings over a new fast-moving wildfire that has exploded in size and is sweeping through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles.
Parched Southern California is enduring another round of dangerous winds, gusting at 46kmh on Wednesday (local time), but expected to increase to 96kmh.
The latest Hughes fire broke out in the late morning on Wednesday (local time) and within hours charred more than 39sq km of trees and brush.
Plumes of dark smoke blackened the sky near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 60 kilometres from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are still burning for a third week.
“This fire had a robust response today, and as you can see behind us, the responders are doing great work to try to contain this fire,” Cal Fire director Joe Tyler said at an evening press conference.
“Certainly, we are not out of the woods yet.”
More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the fire remained difficult to contain, but firefighters were getting the upper hand.
Parts of Interstate 5 that had been closed would shortly be reopened, Luna said.

Dumping water on the new fire near Castaic Lake, California. Photo: AAP
A 48 kilometre stretch of the major north-south artery had been closed for emergency vehicles and moving equipment.
Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving across the interstate and toward Castaic.
Marrone said that because winds were not as strong as they were two weeks ago, aircraft crews were able to drop tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the south side of the fire, where the flames were moving.
To the south, Los Angeles officials began to prepare for potential rain even as some residents were allowed to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
Gusty weather was expected to last through Thursday and precipitation was possible starting Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Officials remain concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue watching for hot spots.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the city’s website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event.
LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer cautioned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials.
“Even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems,” Ferrer said Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning up.
The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out January 7. Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 68 per cent, and the Eaton Fire was at 91 per cent.
Luna said Wednesday that his department was still investigating 22 active missing person reports in both fire zones. All of those reported missing are adults, he said.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings.
Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, alleging Southern California Edison’s equipment sparked the blaze. On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started.
-with AAP