LOS ANGELES (AP) — Overnight water drops helped contain a massive wildfire burning in rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, as firefighters battled to increase containment despite dangerous winds.
The Hughes Fire, which broke out Wednesday morning, had charred nearly 16 square miles of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, a popular recreation area. Firefighters jumped on flareups to keep the flames within containment lines, and the fire remained at 14% containment.
Over 50,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings, but there were no reports of homes or structures burned. The fire broke out near the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires, which have been burning for three weeks.
In Ventura County, a new fire prompted the evacuation of California State University Channel Islands, but water-dropping helicopters quickly made progress against the small Laguna Fire.
A red flag warning for critical fire risk remained in effect through Friday, but winds were not as strong as they had been earlier in the week. Firefighting aircraft were able to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant.
Meanwhile, residents in the Sherman Oaks area received an evacuation warning after a brush fire broke out on the Sepulveda Pass, but the warning was later lifted.
The devastating Palisades and Eaton fires have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures. Ahead of the weekend, Los Angeles officials were preparing for potential rain that could cause debris flows.
The California fires have caused at least $28 billion in insured damage and possibly more in uninsured damage. The state Legislature approved a $2.5 billion fire relief package to help the Los Angeles area recover.
