New Fast-Spreading Wildfire in Los Angeles County Prompts Evacuations

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A quickly spreading wildfire broke out in northern Los Angeles County, resulting in new evacuation orders in an area that has already been severely affected by historic wildfires this month.

A fire broke out on Wednesday north of Santa Clarita in the Castaic area of California. It has scorched over 8,000 acres and is 0% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Evacuation orders have been issued for multiple areas.

In the northern part of Los Angeles County, there is a secluded, unincorporated area known as Castaic that attracts many visitors during the summer due to its lake. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of this area is approximately 19,000.

Students from multiple nearby schools were relocated. Authorities have also shut down a significant portion of Interstate 5 in the region.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff, Robert Luna, informed a local news source on Wednesday afternoon that around 19,000 individuals were being evacuated due to the fires. He strongly advised those who were under evacuation orders to depart the area as soon as possible.

Don't argue, we have to get you out of there," he said. "Your life depends on it.

Local authorities are ordering the evacuation of inmates from facilities in Castaic to a location outside the area required for mandatory evacuation.

Sheriff Luna stated that inmates will be remaining indoors at two out of the three facilities. He mentioned that fire-science specialists have deemed it safe for them to stay inside, considering the facilities' locations and that they are constructed with concrete. Approximately 4,500 inmates are being housed at the three facilities, he added.

The spokesperson for the facility stated that the approximately 480 inmates in this third facility were relocated to one of the others.

Meteorologist Ryan Kittell from the National Weather Service said winds are expected in the area tonight. Winds at high elevations are predicted to reach 40 to 50 miles per hour and increase overnight, Kittell noted. Winds at lower elevations are forecasted to reach speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour.

The wildfires driven by the wind killed more than two dozen people and destroyed many neighborhoods in areas such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings across Los Angeles and Ventura counties through late Thursday, warning that any fires that broke out could quickly spread.

Residents who were forced to leave their homes in Palisades and Altadena due to the fires are now returning to their communities. Prior to the Hughes fire breaking out on Wednesday, Luna reported that over 14,000 residents across the county had been ordered to evacuate - still a significantly lower number than the tens of thousands of people who had to flee their homes during the peak of the Palisades and Eaton fires.

As of Wednesday, the Palisades fire, covering over 23,000 acres, was 68% contained, while the Eaton fire, which spanned over 14,000 acres, was 91% contained. These fires combined have destroyed more than 15,000 homes, businesses, and other structures, and at least 28 people have lost their lives.

In 2025, approximately 240 wildfires have consumed around 40,462 acres, based on initial assessments from Cal Fire—significantly more than the average of 453 acres typically charred at this juncture over a five-year period.

jennifer.calfas@wsj.com