LOS ANGELES, CA – Southern California continues to battle a relentless wildfire crisis as the Hughes Fire scorches more than 10,000 acres in Los Angeles County, leaving thousands displaced and firefighters exhausted from weeks of non-stop emergencies. Officials warn that while much-needed rain is expected over the weekend, it could unleash deadly mudslides, debris flows, and other hazards in the fire-scarred region.
The Hughes Fire, which ignited just two days ago near Castaic Lake north of Santa Clarita, has already consumed vast stretches of dry terrain, fueled by gusting Santa Ana winds. As of Thursday evening, the fire was 36% contained, thanks to aggressive overnight firefighting efforts.
“We’re seeing encouraging progress on the Hughes Fire thanks to the tireless work of our crews,” said Los Angeles County Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh. “The winds laid down a bit, which gave us an opportunity to really knock the heat out of this fire.”
While containment efforts have slowed the fire’s growth, its impacts continue to ripple across the region. More than 16,200 residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, while another 38,700 face evacuation warnings, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Over 14,000 structures are still under threat.
The Hughes Fire is only one of several wildfires plaguing the state. On Thursday, two new fires broke out in San Diego County—the Gilman Fire and the rapidly expanding Border 2 Fire—highlighting the ongoing wildfire risks as California experiences one of its driest seasons on record.
Hughes Fire: The Fight for Containment
The Hughes Fire erupted Wednesday morning, quickly growing from a small brush fire into a massive inferno driven by strong winds and bone-dry vegetation. By noon Wednesday, evacuation orders were issued for communities near Castaic, while road closures and dense smoke disrupted emergency response efforts.
Firefighters worked through the night Wednesday and into Thursday, using water from nearby Castaic Lake to suppress the flames. Aerial support played a critical role, with helicopters and air tankers dumping thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant over the fire’s perimeter.
“Overnight firefighters, with support from aircraft and bulldozers, fought aggressively to establish containment lines,” said Cal Fire in an update Thursday. “While progress has been made, dangerous fire conditions persist, and we remain vigilant.”
As of Friday morning, containment efforts were focused on protecting critical infrastructure, including the Castaic Power Plant, nearby neighborhoods, and essential roadways. Fire crews are also working to prevent the blaze from spreading into the Angeles National Forest, a region highly susceptible to wildfires due to its rugged terrain and dry vegetation.
New Fires in San Diego County
As firefighters gained ground on the Hughes Fire, two new wildfires ignited Thursday in San Diego County. The Gilman Fire and Border 2 Fire underscore the continued wildfire risks across Southern California.
The Border 2 Fire, burning in the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border, doubled in size Thursday evening, growing from 300 to 600 acres within an hour. While no civilian areas are currently threatened, Cal Fire warned that the fire poses a significant risk to critical communication infrastructure in the region.
In response to the ongoing wildfire crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed emergency legislation on Thursday allocating $2.5 billion in aid for response and recovery efforts. The funding will support disaster relief, debris removal, and rebuilding projects in areas affected by the fires, including Los Angeles County.
“We’re making these resources available immediately to support the communities impacted by these devastating fires,” Newsom said. “We want to get these dollars out in real time so there’s no added stress or uncertainty.”
The relief package includes $4 million for local governments to rebuild homes and $1 million for school districts to restore facilities damaged or destroyed by the fires. State officials are also urging President Donald Trump to expedite federal disaster assistance to aid recovery efforts.
Rain Could Bring Mudslides and Toxic Debris Flows
Southern California is expected to receive significant rainfall this weekend, but experts warn that the precipitation could bring new dangers to fire-ravaged areas.
The Los Angeles and San Diego regions are forecast to receive more rain over the weekend than they have in the past six months combined. Up to three-quarters of an inch of rain is expected in the burn scars left by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which devastated parts of Los Angeles earlier this month.
While the rain could help extinguish lingering flames, it poses significant risks for communities near burned areas. Ariel Cohen, meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles, warned that the charred terrain cannot absorb water, increasing the likelihood of flash floods, mudslides, and debris flows.
“The burn scars, with their widespread loss of vegetation, are extremely vulnerable,” Cohen said. “The rain will likely lead to fast-moving rivers of mud, rock, and debris that could threaten lives and property.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency order earlier this week to address the risks posed by potential landslides and toxic runoff. “These communities have already endured unimaginable loss,” Bass said. “We are taking action to prevent further harm by shoring up burn areas and mitigating environmental impacts.”
The Hughes Fire has disrupted daily life across Los Angeles County, forcing school closures, evacuations, and road shutdowns.
All schools within the Castaic Union School District were evacuated Wednesday, with students relocated to temporary shelters at local community centers. Schools in the district remained closed Thursday but are expected to reopen Friday as containment improves.
The fire also prompted the partial evacuation of a county jail in Castaic, which can house up to 4,295 inmates. Approximately 470 inmates were relocated to other areas of the facility, with officials prepared to evacuate the entire complex if necessary.
Lingering Devastation From Palisades and Eaton Fires
While battling the Hughes Fire, firefighters are also working to fully contain the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have collectively burned more than 40,000 acres and destroyed over 16,000 structures since January 7.
The Palisades Fire, which killed 11 people and scorched 23,000 acres in western Los Angeles, is now 72% contained. The Eaton Fire, which devastated the Altadena area and claimed 17 lives, is 95% contained but has left a trail of destruction, including over 9,400 structures destroyed.
Officials hope the rain will aid firefighting efforts, but conditions are expected to dry out again quickly after the storm. “Once the rain passes, it’s going to dry up again,” said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson David Ortiz.
While progress has been made on the Hughes Fire and other active wildfires, the road to recovery for Southern California communities remains long and uncertain. The state’s prolonged drought, combined with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, underscores the growing challenges posed by climate change and the need for comprehensive wildfire prevention and response strategies.
“This is the new reality we’re living in,” said Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler. “We have to remain prepared, remain vigilant, and do everything we can to protect our communities.”
