California: Nearly 20,000 people on Wednesday were ordered to evacuate as a huge and fast-moving wildfire swept through the rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, as parched Southern California endured another round of dangerous winds and two major previous blazes continued to smolder.
The Hughes Fire broke out in the late morning and within hours charred nearly 21 square km of trees and brush, sending up plumes of dark smoke near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 64 km from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.
A 48 km stretch of Interstate 5, a major north-south artery, was closed as flames raced along hilltops and down into wooded canyons.
Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving across the interstate and toward Castaic, where most of the 19,000 residents were ordered to evacuate.
Another 15,000 people in the area were warned to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice, according to the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
Kayla Amara drove to Castaic’s Stonegate neighbourhood to collect items from the home of a friend who had rushed to pick up her daughter at preschool. As Amara was packing the car, she learned the fire had exploded in size and decided to hose down the property.
“Other people are hosing down their houses, too. I hope there’s a house here to return to,” Amara said as police cars raced through the streets and flames engulfed trees on a hillside in the distance.
Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said she’s been on the edge for weeks as major blazes devastated Southern California.
“It’s been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home it’s just super stressful,” she said.
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.
“Rains are in the forecast and the threat of mud and debris flow in our fire-impacted communities is real,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a Wednesday morning news conference.
Fire crews were filling sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleared drainage pipes and basins.
Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended through 8 pm (local time) Thursday in LA and Ventura counties.
Officials remained 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 on 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 killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out on January 7.
Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 68 per cent, and the Eaton Fire was at 91 per cent.
