The Los Angeles Fire Department has strengthened its control over the Hughes Fire, where 10,525 acres have been singed north of the Moorpark College campus. The current containment rate sits at 92% with expectations to put out the fire as rising humidity is expected in the coming days.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the LAFD responded to a flare-up estimated to have begun around 10:30 a.m. in the Castaic area. With a landscape full of dry brush, alongside the Santa Ana Winds that had erratic changes in direction with wind gusts exceeding 40 miles per hour, the blaze promptly named the “Hughes Fire” covered an initial area of 4,000 acres within hours.
The rapid rate of spread and high winds pushed ash and smoke south into the Ventura County area, prompting school closures due to concerns over poor air quality.
As the Hughes fire began to expand at an increasingly alarming rate, the Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) scheduled an evacuation due its proximity and the smoke advisories released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Beginning at noon, the 427 inmates of the PDC South facility were moved to the North County Correctional Facility Emergency Operations Center.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, the blaze reached major freeways, prompting temporary closures along the I-5. Additionally, the Angeles National Forest fire danger level had risen to critical, and it was announced that a temporary forest closure would be put in place, with access only being granted to contractors, residents and permittees.
On the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, LAFD posted an Operational Update conference to X, outlining the progress made by crews. The Hughes Fire faced an effort of five divisions, with each dedicated team covering areas to control and prevent the spread of the flames.
In this conference, Operations Section Chief Travis Thane shared the department’s plan to strengthen control lines in greater detail.
“Our number one priority is to prevent fire spread to the south, and prevent the values at risk in Wayside Canyon and Copper Canyon,” Thane explained. Containment of the fire rose to 79% that evening.
Air units have been battling the fire since Wednesday morning’s initial report, dropping 3,000 gallons of fire retardant with each pass. The Federal Aviation Administration has released reminders that Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains over the affected areas.
The TFR was released due to an incident involving a Canadian Super Scooper that had previously been pulled from action due to striking a drone during its fight against the Palisades Fire.
David Kromka, a retired firefighter with 39 years of service and the current fire technology instructor at Oxnard College, shared the following about the efforts of firefighters nationwide and the support they’re receiving.
“California has an amazing mutual aid system. We’ve been able to double our staff multiple times by calling people back on,” Kromka said. “When the circumstances are as incredible and unprecedented as these past few fires, it doesn’t matter if you have 1,000 firefighters out there, the wind is going to move and the fire will keep on spreading.”
In addition to the efforts from fire services, Kromka stressed the importance of Southern California residents preparing for these incidents beforehand to better protect themselves.
“We [the fire department] are here to help the people. Citizens should prepare to leave as soon as possible in case of these sorts of situations. Have an emergency bag prepared with items for the welfare of everyone in your home.”
Kromka continued, recommending a fireproof safe for important items that you may not be able to evacuate with. According to Kromka, California has one of the best-supported fire response systems in the country. Agencies like CAL FIRE provide additional research and resources that strengthen state-wide fire departments.
With rainfall expected in the coming days to cover all three affected burn areas of the Hughes, Palisades and Eaton Fires, Los Angeles County Public Works is providing sandbags to those with proof of residency in the affected areas.
While the Hughes Fire, Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire are ongoing, the current combined total of the three is 47,894 acres taken. To track active incidents and view the changing conditions of these fires, visit the CAL FIRE homepage.
