LOS ANGELES, CA – Firefighters battling the Hughes Fire in Los Angeles County made significant progress on Thursday, containing over one-third of the 16-square-mile blaze that erupted near Castaic Lake. Meanwhile, new fires broke out across Southern California, briefly prompting evacuations in San Diego and Ventura counties.
The Hughes Fire, which started late Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake—a popular recreation area about 40 miles from the still-burning Eaton and Palisades fires—has forced nearly 54,000 residents into evacuation warnings. Crews made headway overnight, using water-dropping helicopters and fire retardants to contain the flames, but the region remains under a red flag warning due to high winds and dry vegetation.
Fire spokesperson Jeremy Ruiz credited aerial support for the containment gains. “We had helicopters dropping water until around 3 a.m. That kept it in check,” he said. While no structures have been reported damaged, the fire continues to threaten homes in the area.
“It’s been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home, it’s just super stressful,” said Castaic resident and nurse Kayla Amara, who helped a neighbor protect her home as the fire grew rapidly on Wednesday.
New Fires in San Diego and Ventura Counties
As progress was being made on the Hughes Fire, two new wildfires erupted in San Diego County on Thursday.
The Gilman Fire forced temporary evacuations in the wealthy enclave of La Jolla near the University of California, San Diego’s School of Medicine. Evacuation orders were later lifted after crews contained the fire.
Further south, the Border 2 Fire spread quickly through the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border, doubling in size within hours. The remote wilderness area is home to unique species, including the endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly. While no civilian areas are currently threatened, the fire poses a risk to critical communication infrastructure.
In Ventura County, the Laguna Fire briefly prompted the evacuation of California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo. Water-dropping helicopters quickly contained the fire burning in hills above the campus, allowing evacuation orders to be downgraded to warnings.
Weather Brings Hope and Concern
Southern California is bracing for rain this weekend, marking a potential end to the months-long dry spell that has left the region’s vegetation dangerously flammable. The National Weather Service predicts rain will begin Saturday, with up to three-quarters of an inch expected over burn scars left by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
While firefighters welcome the rain as a potential aid in containment efforts, officials warn it could trigger mudslides and debris flows in fire-damaged areas. Crews are working to stabilize hillsides and install barriers to prevent further damage in communities affected by the fires.
“The rain will help with the firefight, but it could also create a new set of challenges,” said Ruiz. “We’re doing everything we can to prepare for those risks.”
The Los Angeles and Ventura areas remain under a red flag warning for critical fire weather conditions through Friday. Winds, while not as severe as those seen during the Palisades and Eaton fires earlier this month, continue to pose challenges.
Eaton and Palisades Fires Update
The Eaton and Palisades fires, which erupted on January 7, continue to burn despite significant containment progress.
The Palisades Fire, which has scorched 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 6,700 structures in western Los Angeles, was reported as 78% contained Thursday. The Eaton Fire, burning across 14,000 acres in Altadena, is now 95% contained. Combined, the fires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed over 14,000 structures.
Economic Impact and Political Debate
The devastating fires have caused an estimated $28 billion in insured damage, with additional losses expected from uninsured properties, according to disaster modeling firm Karen Clark and Company.
On Thursday, the California Legislature approved a $2.5 billion fire relief package to support recovery efforts, including funds for debris removal, rebuilding homes, and assisting school districts with destroyed facilities. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the package, emphasizing the need for swift distribution of funds to affected communities.
“This funding will help ensure communities can recover and rebuild without unnecessary delays,” Newsom said.
The fire relief debate has also reached the national stage, as California Republicans push back against suggestions by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson that federal disaster aid should include conditions or restrictions.
Trump is scheduled to visit California on Friday to assess the wildfire damage firsthand. It remains unclear whether he will meet with Newsom during his visit.
Despite containment progress, firefighters remain cautious as Southern California faces ongoing fire risks. The Hughes Fire and other recent blazes underscore the challenges of managing wildfires in a region increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven disasters.
“This is our reality now,” said Ruiz. “We’re constantly battling these fires, and while the rain brings hope, we have to stay vigilant for what comes next.”
