Fire Explodes North of L.A.; Part of I-5 Closes Temporarily
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A fire spreading north of Los Angeles shut one of California’s main transportation arteries the afternoon of Jan. 22.
The Hughes Fire started just before 11 a.m. local time Jan. 22 and quickly spread to more than 5,054 acres, spurring evacuation orders around Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County. Students from three local middle and elementary schools were evacuated to a grocery store parking lot and sports complex for parents to pick them up, the California Highway Patrol Newhall said in a statement on X.
All northbound lanes of Interstate 5 were closed at about 2 p.m. Pacific time, but they reopened later in the evening. About 45 miles away, a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway — a major north-south artery into and out of L.A. — remained shut the morning of Jan. 23 as authorities continue work to contain and clean up the Palisades Fire.
The Hughes Fire has stoked fresh fears in a region already devastated by two weeks of deadly infernos that have killed 28 people, destroyed nearly 15,000 structures — most of them homes — and left thousands displaced. The Palisades and Eaton fires, which caused the bulk of the destruction, are still burning but are now more controlled at 66% and 91% containment, respectively. The area of the new fire is about 45 miles from Pacific Palisades.
🚧Traffic Update🚧
I-5 NB is now open!
Closures that will remain in place will be as follows.
I-5 NB to Parker Rd off Ramp
I-5 NB to Lake Hughes Rd off Ramp
Parker RD/Ridge Rd EB from The Old Rd
Lake Hughes Rd EB from The Old Rd pic.twitter.com/yxE60vHant — CHP Southern (@CHPsouthern) January 23, 2025
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Critical fire weather conditions affecting more than 9.3 million people are forecast to last through Jan. 23, according to the U.S. Storm Prediction Center.
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Strong winds can whip flames across the landscape causing the fires to spread, but they can also pick up embers and transport them miles away starting new blazes, Bann said.
There is a chance light rain will begin to fall across Southern California starting Jan. 24, potentially helping firefighters.
A large plume of smoke rises from Castaic Lake behind a neighborhood in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Jan. 22. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)
Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuna said the Hughes fire is “primarily burning through brush and grass” in dry terrain. Cal Fire had crews and equipment prepositioned in the Castaic area, which were “immediately applied for use,” he said, but the fire has still grown quickly as winds begin to pick up.
“We’re just kind of buckled in,” Acuna said. “We’ve been going for a little over two weeks now.”
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