Fire crews in Los Angeles are battling a new brush fire, dubbed the Sepulveda Fire, near Interstate 405 and Sepulveda Boulevard. This blaze erupted just as firefighters were making progress containing the fast-moving Hughes Fire, which began spreading rapidly on Wednesday in a suburban area of Los Angeles County.
An evacuation warning was issued late Wednesday night for parts of Sherman Oaks, advising residents who need additional time to leave immediately.
The Sepulveda Fire has scorched around 20 acres as of early Thursday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on social media that aerial and ground teams are aggressively responding to the blaze east of the 405 Freeway.
Fire engines and water-dropping aircraft were deployed to combat the flames, as reported by CNN affiliate KCAL/KCBS.
Hughes Fire: Thousands Evacuated Across Two Counties
The wildfire threat remains critical across Southern California, where the Hughes Fire continues to devastate Los Angeles and Ventura counties. By Thursday morning, the blaze had burned over 10,000 acres and was only 14% contained, per Cal Fire officials. No structures have been reported damaged or destroyed, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
In the unincorporated community of Castaic, located near Angeles National Forest and northwest of Santa Clarita, approximately 31,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 23,000 under evacuation warnings, said LA County Sheriff Robert Luna.
“We have more than 4,000 firefighting personnel assigned to this incident,” Chief Marrone stated, highlighting the extensive ground and aerial resources involved. “While progress is being made, this remains a challenging fire to fully control,” he added.
The Hughes Fire broke out near Castaic Lake around 11 a.m. Wednesday. This fire differs significantly from the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which have collectively burned over 40,000 acres and caused at least 28 fatalities since January 7, according to LA County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher.
Kelliher noted that while past firefighting efforts were hampered by powerful winds, current conditions are more favorable, allowing water-dropping helicopters to operate through the night. Crews are also using water sources like Castaic Lake to bolster their firefighting efforts.
Critical Fire Conditions Persist
Robert Garcia, Angeles National Forest Fire Chief, emphasized that while weather conditions have slightly improved, the dry vegetation in the area remains a significant fuel source for the Hughes Fire.
“The brush and grassy hills in this area are extremely dry, creating critical fire conditions,” Garcia explained.
Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler urged evacuees to follow local authorities’ directions. The National Weather Service has extended its red flag warning through Friday morning due to strong Santa Ana winds, which are expected to sustain critical fire weather.
“Thursday will be the most concerning period, with dangerously dry conditions and the potential for rapid fire spread,” the Weather Service warned.
Evacuations and Closures
In response to the Hughes Fire, 470 inmates were relocated from one facility at a county jail in Castaic. Students at Castaic Middle School and Castaic High School were evacuated to nearby locations, while the College of the Canyons campuses in Valencia and Canyon Country remain closed as a precaution.
Smoke from the fire is visible as far south as Oxnard, about 50 miles away. Satellite data from Orora Technologies detected the initial hotspot near Castaic Lake at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, shortly before Cal Fire confirmed the blaze.
Officials have closed Angeles National Forest to the public until January 24 to ensure safety.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as new information becomes available.
