In the past 24 hours, CalFire has responded to more than 12 wildfires across Southern California due to extreme fire danger fueled by Santa Ana winds and low humidity. The most severe is the Hughes Fire near Castaic, Los Angeles County, which has burned over 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated, and more than 14,000 structures are under threat. Temporary closures of the I-5 freeway have further complicated the situation.
Firefighters successfully contained multiple smaller fires earlier, but dry vegetation and strong winds have significantly increased fire risks this season. CalFire officials highlighted that the region has seen a sharp rise in burned acreage compared to last year. While rain is forecasted later in the week, current conditions remain a challenge for firefighting efforts.