Firefighters successfully halted the spread of a rapidly growing wildfire north of Los Angeles on Thursday, bringing some relief as California Governor Gavin Newsom approved a $2.5 billion aid package to support recovery efforts in fire-affected areas.
The Hughes Fire, which ignited on Wednesday about 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles, posed a significant challenge to emergency services already battling two other large blazes on the eastern and western sides of the city. These fires have been burning for over two weeks, leaving destruction in their wake.
The Hughes Fire scorched approximately 10,176 acres (41 square kilometers) within hours but remained stable throughout the day. Around 4,000 firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the flames, using aerial water drops, fire retardants, and manual efforts with hoses and hand tools.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), containment levels improved from 14% in the morning to 24% later in the day, signaling progress in controlling the blaze.
As a precaution, authorities ordered evacuations for 31,000 residents, with another 16,000 placed under evacuation warnings. Dense smoke clouds rose over the rugged terrain of the Castaic Lake area near Santa Clarita, causing air quality concerns.
Fire crews faced challenging weather conditions, including strong winds and low humidity levels, which were forecasted to persist through Friday. However, meteorologists predicted rain and mountain snow over the weekend, potentially offering relief while introducing new risks such as flash flooding and landslides.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that rain might not significantly impact the fire but raised concerns about thunderstorms, which could intensify hazards in the affected areas.
Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles cautioned that heavy rainfall might trigger mudslides in fire-ravaged areas. Speaking at a press conference, she outlined the city's proactive measures, such as installing barriers, clearing debris, and redirecting stormwater to prevent further damage.
Meanwhile, the Eaton and Palisades fires continued burning for the 17th consecutive day, having already decimated entire neighborhoods, resulted in 28 fatalities, and damaged or destroyed nearly 16,000 structures. Cal Fire reported that the Eaton Fire was 95% contained, while the Palisades Fire had reached 72% containment.
In addition to these major fires, smaller incidents have erupted across the region. The Sepulveda Fire, which ignited early Thursday morning along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center museum, quickly consumed 45 acres. Fire crews managed to contain 60% of the blaze, which temporarily shut down a section of the busy freeway and forced nearby evacuations.
Governor Newsom announced the state's financial assistance plan, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the devastation. The relief package will cover critical operations such as debris removal, emergency response, and recovery efforts. However, officials noted that federal assistance will be essential to fully recover from the catastrophe, which private weather firm AccuWeather estimates could result in economic losses exceeding $250 billion.
President Donald Trump was expected to visit California on Friday to assess the damage firsthand. However, in a recent interview with Fox News, he suggested withholding federal assistance unless changes were made to the state's water management policies.
"I don't think we should provide California with any aid until they improve their water distribution system," Trump stated during the interview at the White House.
Governor Newsom rejected Trump's claims, asserting that the state's water conservation policies had no connection to firefighting efforts. He pointed out that Trump's statements inaccurately linked conservation efforts in Northern California to water shortages in Los Angeles.
During a press briefing, Newsom clarified the misunderstanding, explaining that the three local reservoirs in the Palisades area that ran dry during firefighting efforts had no connection to the State Water Project.
"The State Water Project is entirely unrelated to municipal fire suppression systems," Newsom stated. "Spreading such misinformation can have serious consequences for public understanding and emergency response efforts."
Despite political disagreements, California officials continue their efforts to combat wildfires, support affected communities, and mitigate the environmental and economic impact of these devastating events.
As emergency crews brace for potential challenges posed by the incoming storm system, authorities remain focused on protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure in the fire-stricken areas.