Hughes, Castaic

Hughes, Angeles NF, USFS. Six miles northeast of Castaic, CA. Chaparral, brush and grass. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Area, road and trail closures in effect.

January 28, 2025 at 8:31 AM

Given the progress, this will be the final official update of the Hughes Fire.

As of January 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., we are no longer in unified command and Angeles National Forest is in command of the fire. Firefighters have successfully held the fire at 10,425 acres and brought containment up to 98%. Crews continue to identify and extinguish isolated pockets of heat within the fire perimeter to prevent rekindling. Suppression repair efforts are underway to repair areas of the forest that were disturbed during the firefighting operations, including restoring natural drainage patterns and mitigating soil erosion.                                                                                                        Mostly weak diurnal winds will likely prevail through Thursday. Possible increase of northerly winds with gusts of 25-45 mph range along the ridge tops in the evening to early morning hours this weekend. There is a 30% chance of rain sometime early next week. Residents seeking sandbags for protection against possible debris flow can visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works website: https://dpw.lacounty.gov/dsg/sandbags/.

We extend our gratitude to all personnel involved in the firefighting efforts and to the community for their cooperation and resilience during this incident. 

January 27, 2025 at 7:23 AM

A storm system moving over the area will bring rain and mountain snow showers to the area through Monday afternoon. There is a 10 percent chance of a thunderstorm during the morning hours, with potential for brief heavy downpours and locally gusty winds up to 40 mph. Rain amounts on Monday are generally expected to be below 0.25 inch, but there is a 10-20 percent chance of higher accumulations if a heavier shower occurs. Otherwise, breezy northerly winds are expected through Monday night, with diminishing winds on Tuesday. Humidities will diminish through the period.

January 26, 2025 at 7:39 AM

Firefighters continued to improve and add control lines overnight, bringing containment to 90% and keeping the fire within its current perimeter. On the northern flank, crews patrolled rugged terrain for hot spots and will continue mop-up activities today. With yesterday’s evacuation orders lifted and residents returning to their homes, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department exited unified command. Additionally, the Red Cross closed their evacuation center for this fire, due to the rapid rate of containment and repopulation. We will begin releasing firefighters and resources to make them available for future incidents, should they be needed.

January 25, 2025 at 8:24 AM

Better humidity recovery overnight (25-35%) than seen since the beginning of the fire and lighter winds will reduce fire potential overnight, however onshore winds will pose a risk in areas that have not seen wind from this direction before.

The entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed through Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 midnight (end of day) for public safety and the protection of natural resources.

January 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM

The fire exhibited minimal fire behavior today, including creeping and smoldering. However, significant heat remains within the lines, fuel moistures are extremely low, and fire danger is at record levels, so the potential for continued rapid fire growth continues.

Planned Actions: Continue all direct fire line construction. Continue suppression repair actions in preparation for expected rain in order to minimize the impact on surrounding communities, resources and the fire area. Continue with mop up and backhaul for all impacted areas. Conduct Demobilization of excess resources.

January 24, 2025 at 7:28 AM

Minimal fire behavior was observed overnight, however infrared mapping shows heat remaining across the incident.

Current winds will likely persist through today midday. Winds will turn onshore in the afternoon as early as 2pm and as late as 6pm, but confident that the onshore winds will be light. Over the weekend, high confidence in a low pressure system bringing light rain to the burn areas. Snow levels will stay above 3,500 feet. Rain could start as early as Saturday afternoon and last as late as Monday evening. Currently best estimate for the burn areas is for 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rainfall over a 24 to 48 hour period. There is a 10 to 20 percent chance of thunderstorms with brief downpours, small hail, and/or locally gusty and erratic winds. South to southwesterly winds will increase over the course of Saturday into Sunday with gusts up to 45 mph possible Saturday night across the ridgetops and 25 to 30 mph gusts for the 20 foot winds.

January 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM

Some areas of the fire remained active during the day and exhibited wind-driven runs, spotting, and high resistance to control. Dust devils were observed throughout the burned area.

Current winds will likely persist through most of the evening then lower into Friday. Winds will turn onshore in the afternoon as early as 2pm and as late as 6pm, but confident that the onshore winds will be light. Over the weekend, high confidence in a low pressure system bringing light rain to the burn areas. Snow levels will stay above 3,500 feet. Rain could start as early as Saturday afternoon and last as late as Monday evening. Currently best estimate for the burn areas is for 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rainfall over a 24 to 48 hour period. There is a 10 to 20 percent chance of thunderstorms with brief downpours, small hail, and/or locally gusty and erratic winds. South to southwesterly winds will increase over the course of Saturday into Sunday with gusts up to 45 mph possible Saturday night across the ridgetops and 25 to 30 mph gusts for the 20 foot winds.

January 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM

North to northeast winds were observed from 15-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Isolated gusts to 60 mph in the hills. The region experienced poor overnight recoveries with humidity levels between 8-15%.

Planned actions:

• Construct fire line from Branch III/XX break to confine the fire and protect San Fransiquito Canyon.
• Construct fire line from Div A/Div C break to confine the fire and protect the community of Copper Hill.
• Construct fire line from Div C/Div F break to branch break to protect communities of Tesoro and Pitchess Detention Center.
• Patrol fire line from branch XX break north to Div J/T break to limit growth and secure perimeter.
• Improve control lines and mop up hot spots to control fire growth where possible.

January 23, 2025 at 8:38 AM

Overnight firefighters, with support from aircraft and dozers, fought aggressively and were challenged by extreme fire behavior, terrain, and weather. They kept the fire from spreading to Elderberry Canyon, the Castaic Hydroelectric Power Plant and surrounding communities. Today, crews will continue focusing on establishing and holding control lines on all flanks of the fire. Firefighters will continue reinforcing control lines and holding the fire in its current footprint, protecting the Wayside Honor Rancho and structures along Charlie Canyon drainage. Additional fire engines will be staged within the community of Castaic to prevent any fire spread. A red flag warning remains in effect for the area until 10:00 a.m. Friday. A high wind warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Today firefighters expect extreme fire behavior and will continue to aggressively fight the blaze day and night with support from aircraft. 

January 23, 2025 at 6:53 AM

Control Objectives:

Keep the fire north of Highway 126.
Keep the fire smith of Pine Canyon.
Keep the fire east of Los Angeles County Line.
Keep the fire west of Bouquet Canyon.

All live & dead fuels are at critical, with fire behavior reminiscent of August. Brush highly receptive to fire. Fire burned actively overnight under poor RH conditions.

High confidence in extremely dry conditions with little to no overnight recoveries through Friday. Moderate confidence in only minor wind fluctuations over the lower elevations tonight, but the complex terrain may result in localized wind enhancement. Winds in the higher elevations will likely start to ramp up later tonight. All areas will increase and peak during the day on Thursday, likely in the 10am-3pm time window, with a pure northeast wind direction. Moderate confidence in gradual decreasing winds

January 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM

Road Closures

Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes
Ridge Route Rd at Templin Hwy
Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn
Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd
I-5 NB at Parker Rd Off Ramp and I-5 NB at Lake Hughes Rd off ramp will be shut down.
Northbound I-5 all lanes closed just north of State Route 126.
I-5 Grapevine

Evacuation Shelters

Valencia High School (27801 Dickson Dr, Valencia, CA 91355)
College of the Canyons East Gym (26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355)

Temporary Evacuation Point

Hart High School (24825 Newhall Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321)

January 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM

Updated evacuation orders: CAS-BISCAILUZ, CAS-BITTERCANYON, CAS-CAMBRIDGE, CAS-CASTAICLAKE, CAS-CHARLIECANYON, CAS-GOLDENSTATE, CAS-GREENHILL, CAS-HASLEY, CAS-HILLCREST, CAS-PARADISERANCH, CAS-RIDGE, CAS-ROMERO, CAS-SLOAN, LAC-E008, LAC-E016, LAC-E029, LAC-FRANCISQUITO, SCL-KELLYJOHNSON, SCL-REYESADOBE, SCL-STERLING, SCL-TESORODELVALLE, VNC Zone 1.

January 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM

EVACUATION CENTER:

Temporary Valencia High School – 27801 Dickson Dr., Valencia CA 91355

ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS:

Large Pets: Pierce College – 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Small Pets: Palmdale, Agoura, along with Lancaster Animal Care Centers.

January 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM

Firefighters from Angeles National Forest, as well as surged CAL FIRE and local, state, federal, and tribal partners, are responding to a brush fire located off Lake Hughes Rd North of Castaic Reservoir Rd, Castaic. Hughes Fire Is in unified command with U.S. Forest Service, Los Angeles County Fire Department, with assistance from LA County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol, Southern Division. 

Due to Forest Order 05-01-25-03
 the entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of  natural resources through Sunday, January 24, 2025, at 12:00  midnight. 

Evacuation orders:

CAS-BITTERCANYON, CAS-CAMBRIDGE, CAS-CASTAICLAKE, CAS-CHARLIECANYON, CAS-GOLDENSTATE, CAS-GREENHILL, CAS-HASLEY, CAS-HILLCREST, CAS-PARADISERANCH, CAS-RIDGE, CAS-ROMERO, CAS-SLOAN, LAC-E008

Evacuation warnings:

CAS-BISCAILUZ, CAS-INDUSTRY, CAS-LIVEOAK, CAS-OAKCANYON, CAS-VALVERDE, GOR-E004, GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY, LAC-E005, LAC-E009-B, LAC-E011-A, LAC-E011-B, LAC-E016, LAC-E029, LAC-FRANCISQUITO, SCL-KELLYJOHNSON, SCL-TESORODELVALLE, SLC-REYESABODE, SLC-STERLING.

Road Closures

• Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes
• Ridge Route Rd at Templin Hwy
• Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn
• Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd
• I-5 NB at Parker Rd Off Ramp and I-5 NB at Lake Hughes Rd off ramp will be shut down.

Evacuation Shelters

Evacuation Center: Valencia High School (27801 Dickson Dr, Valencia, CA 91355)

January 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM

LAFD has four (five-engine) strike teams enroute to assist at the Hughes Fire, totaling 20 fire engines. One of the strike teams comprises engines from Culver City, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica Fire in addition to one LAFD engine. There are also two dozer teams and additional command staff enroute.