AA / Washington / Michael Hernandez
A new fire ravaged northern Los Angeles County on Wednesday, consuming more than 9,000 acres (1 acre equals 0.4047 hectares) just hours after it was initially reported.
Named the “Hughes Fire,” this fast-spreading wildfire is burning north of the small community of Castaic, located northwest of the city of Los Angeles. Widespread evacuation orders have already been issued, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee. Other surrounding communities have also been warned that they may be forced to leave.
The fire, initially estimated at 50 acres when reported at 10:53 a.m. local time (1853 GMT), quickly grew under red alert conditions to reach more than 9,200 acres by 8:27 p.m. Wednesday (0427 GMT Thursday). , according to data from CalFire, the California state fire agency.
The fire, currently 0% contained, continues to grow as firefighters struggle to control it after it spreads to neighboring Ventura County.
The blaze is the latest to hit the Greater Los Angeles area, following a series of fires that began ravaging the second-largest city in the United States since January 7. The first fire, dubbed the Palisades Fire, devastated the prestigious coastal community of Pacific Palisades, while another major fire, the Eaton Fire, ravaged large swathes of the high-altitude town of Altadena.
-A total of 11 people died in the Palisades Fire and 17 in the Eaton Fire. These fires caused massive devastation, forcing thousands of residents to seek new housing.
Currently, they are 68% and 91% under control, respectively, after more than two weeks of intensive efforts by firefighters.
* Translated from English by Adama Bamba
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