Another Southern California Fire Erupts as Mudslide Risks Loom

Southern California is once again under siege from wildfires as the Hughes Fire, which ignited Wednesday morning near Castaic and north of Santa Clarita, has already consumed over 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained. The fire has prompted mass evacuations and raised fears of impending mudslides as rain is forecasted for the weekend.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported that roughly 31,000 residents are under evacuation orders, with an additional 23,000 under warnings. Firefighters are battling harsh conditions, with winds expected to reach up to 60 mph and extremely dry humidity creating a tinderbox environment.

“It’s super dry,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuna. “Any spark will have a new start of a fire that establishes and raises quickly.”

Despite the challenges, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher reassured the public about water availability, noting crews have access to Castaic Lake and other reservoirs.

While rain may offer some relief to the fire-ravaged landscape, it poses a serious new danger. The National Weather Service predicts that Los Angeles and San Diego areas will receive more rain this weekend than they have in the past six months combined.

Ariel Cohen of the National Weather Service warned that the burned terrain, stripped of vegetation, will struggle to absorb water. “The ground can’t accept the water, so it all goes to runoff immediately,” Cohen said, likening the situation to cement. This could lead to hazardous debris flows, mudslides, and landslides, endangering lives and properties in affected areas.

Meanwhile, other fires continue to wreak havoc across Southern California:

• The Palisades Fire, which has killed 11 people, burned over 23,000 acres, and destroyed 6,662 structures, is still only 72% contained.

• The Eaton Fire, responsible for 17 deaths and over 14,000 scorched acres, is 95% contained but remains a cautionary tale of the devastation wildfires can cause.

As first responders work tirelessly to contain these fires, residents are urged to remain vigilant, heed evacuation orders, and prepare for the dual threats of fire and flooding.

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