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The Hughes Fire burns behind the skyline of Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Valencia, Calif., on Thursday.Brandon Bell / Getty Images
The Hughes Fire burns behind the skyline of Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Valencia, Calif., on Thursday.Brandon Bell / Getty Images

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Hughes Fire sparks alarming National Guard response, UCLA experts warn of worsening winds

climate change

Key Takeaways

  • The Hughes Fire has burned 10,000 acres in northern Los Angeles County, forcing widespread evacuations.
  • The National Guard has deployed all eight MAFFS air tankers, signaling heightened concerns over the fire’s escalation.
  • Intense Santa Ana winds are driving rapid fire spread, with UCLA climate expert Daniel Swain predicting worsening conditions.
  • While a low-pressure system may offer relief, wind risks remain high.
  • The Hughes Fire underscores the intensifying wildfire threat in California, driven by climate change and prolonged drought.

A fast-moving wildfire erupted in the Castaic Lake area of Los Angeles County at 10:53 am Wednesday morning, prompting widespread evacuation orders. With resources already strained from a series of devastating January wildfires, experts sound the alarm as the Hughes Fire continues to spread towards vulnerable communities.

“This is definitely the fire that concerns me the most of this January outbreak in Southern California,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA IoES and UC ANR. “Aside from the Palisades and Eaton fires before it, this is a much more concerning fire than the other numerous small fires that have broken out and ultimately been contained.”

The blaze has prompted the deployment of all eight National Guard Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems (MAFFS) – air tankers that can unload 27,000 pounds of fire retardant in less than five seconds. “This is a very large order and a strong indication of the significant concern that this fire could become a much bigger problem than it currently is,” Swain said.

Firefighters from the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County Fire Department and CAL FIRE have deployed hundreds of personnel and air support to contain the flames, but shifting winds are expected to strengthen and may deter progress.

“At this time, the wind is strong but not so strong that air support can’t fly,” Swain explained. “However, it’s going to get windy enough later that they may not be able to fly when the fire is closest to communities.”

Although weather models indicate that record-breaking warm, dry and windy conditions are likely to persist, relief may be on the horizon, as a low-pressure system could bring rain to the region this weekend.

January’s string of wildfires has already taken a toll on the county’s firefighting resources, and the Hughes Fire has the potential to be the most catastrophic blaze of the year. “This fire is a reflection of the times we’re living in,” Swain said, noting that climate change and prolonged drought have contributed to California’s year-round fire season.

As firefighters attempt to prevent the fire from spreading to Ventura County, residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepare for immediate evacuation.

For real-time information and resources, visit the Cal Fire website.

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