Tens of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes when a new, explosive wildfire broke out north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, leaving residents anxious in a region still recovering from two fatal fires.
In a matter of hours, fierce fires ravaged the hillsides close to Castaic Lake, quickly engulfing almost 9,400 acres.
Strong, dry Santa Ana winds that rushed through the area fueled the fire by blowing a thick veil of smoke and embers in front of the firefront.
Around the lake, which is 56 kilometers north of Los Angeles and near the city of Santa Clarita, 31,000 people were warned to evacuate.
The Hughes Fire struck as tensions in the greater Los Angeles area were high following two massive fires that destroyed America’s second-largest city, killing over two dozen people and causing billions of dollars’ worth of damage.
President Donald Trump reiterated his unfounded allegation that California was inappropriately diverting water away from the catastrophe site, threatening to withhold federal assistance as a result, as the state prepares for a large reconstruction.
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday night, Trump stated, “I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down into their system” from the north of the state.
Aqueducts and canals that come from completely different river basins farther east are the primary means of supplying water to Los Angeles.
A “dynamic” circumstance
With the support of bulldozers and airplanes, almost 4,000 firefighters rushed to the new fire, a major reaction that Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said was paying off.
“Even though we are gaining the upper hand, the situation is still dynamic and the fire is still difficult to contain,” he said at a press conference in the evening.
The upbeat tone followed a tense day for the area, during which a large number of people watched the aerial firefight on television, a scene that became typical during protracted efforts to contain the Eaton and Palisades Fires.
In an effort to contain the fire and narrow the firefront, helicopters dropped water and airplanes sprayed tens of thousands of fire retardants.
In addition to DC-10 jets and dual rotor helicopters, the fleet had two Super Scoopers, which are massive amphibious aircraft capable of transporting hundreds of gallons (liters) of water.
The Angeles National Forest and Los Angeles County Fire Department crews also launched a ground assault on the fire.
Prisoners were evacuated.
County of Los Angeles About 500 prisoners have been transferred to a nearby facility after the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic was placed under evacuation, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.
There were buses available in case circumstances changed and they needed to be moved, he said, but about 4,600 prisoners housed at other local institutions were sheltering in place.
The I5 freeway, which covers the entire length of the US west coast, was closed for several hours by the California Highway Patrol.
In rush hour, the road reopened, but thousands of cars were squeezing home, causing heavy traffic.
Conditions had combined to make the fire particularly volatile, according to Brent Pascua of Cal Fire.
“This brush hasn’t had any moisture in a long time, and we’re getting the winds and low humidities,” he stated. “All of that is just contributing to the fire’s rapid spread.”
Through Thursday, winds were predicted to persist.
Earth’s climate is changing due to human activities, especially the uncontrolled use of fossil fuels, which is raising average world temperatures and modifying weather patterns.
Southern California has not experienced any notable precipitation in around eight months, despite January being the midst of the region’s rainy season. As a result, the countryside is parched.
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