Winds in the region were blowing around 20 to 30 mph but are expected to pick up (image-X/HansGutknecht).
California, US: A fresh wildfire has erupted in the already burning Los Angeles County. The Hughes fire ignited about 45 miles northwest of LA on Wednesday near Castaic Lake. Tens of thousands have been ordered to evacuate the region.
The devastating fire grew over 9,200 acres within hours on Wednesday, accelerated by high-speed winds and dry bush. According to fire officials, no homes or businesses have been damaged so far.
Also Read | California Fire: 10 Killed, 10,000 Structures, 30,000 Acres Destroyed, 21 Arrested
Located north of the two gigantic blazes that continue to burn in the LA area earlier this month, the new fire continues to grow bigger in the mountainous area that borders several residential areas and schools.
The LA County has issued evacuation orders for regions around Castaic Lake, including areas east of Lake Piru and the Ventura County border, west of Bouquet Canyon Road, south of Sandberg, and north of Castaic Junction.
Winds in the region were blowing around 20 to 30 mph but are expected to pick up, fuelling the ravaging fire and making it harder for air crews to operate.
Nearly 31,000 people in the region are under a mandatory evacuation order, while 23,000 others have been warned about a potential evacuation in case the wildfire spreads. Over 500 inmates at a jail facility in the region have also been evacuated, said LA County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Also Read | Social Media Calls California Fire ‘An Irony Of Karma’
Compared to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires—reported to be the most destructive ones among the several other fires in LA County—the Hughes fire was a combination of lower winds.
At least 27 people died in the LA fire while over 13,600 structures have been destroyed. Nearly tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. Analysts estimated insured losses from the wildfires in Los Angeles to reach as high as $20 billion, potentially making it the costliest disaster in California’s history.
