Incoming rain brings mudslides threat to burn zones as crews battle Hughes Fire in Castaic

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Last updated: Friday, January 24, 2025 7:51AM GMT
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A red-flag warning for critical fire risk remains in effect Friday across L.A. and Ventura counties as the forecasted rain this weekend threatens the region with mudslides.

Firefighters are batting a new brush fire that erupted in San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border, as they also race to contain the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake.

The Border Fire 2 is burning near the Otay Mountain Truck Trail located within the Otay Mountain Wilderness area. The fire erupted at around 2:30 p.m. and quickly grew in acreage.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
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Jan 23, 2025, 7:24 PM

Hughes Fire map shows evacuation zones in Castaic

Mandatory evacuations were issued Wednesday in the Castaic area due to the fast-spreading Hughes Fire.

CAL FIRE's map shows the evacuation zones.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the following zones, according to CAL FIRE:

CAS-BITTERCANYON
CAS-CASTAICLAKE
CAS-CHARLIECANYON
LAC-E008
LAC-E016.

Evacuation warnings were issued for the following zones:

CAS-BISCAILUZ
CAS-CAMBRIDGE
CAS-GOLDENSTATE
CAS-GREENHILL
CAS-HASLEY
CAS-HILLCREST
CAS-INDUSTRY
CAS-LIVEOAK
CAS-OAKCANYON
CAS-PARADISERANCH
CAS-RIDGE
CAS-ROMERO
CAS-SLOAN
CAS-VALVERDE
GOR-E004
GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY
LAC-E005
LAC-E009-B
LAC-E011-A
LAC-E017
LAC-E018
LAC-E029
LAC-E030
LAC-FRANCISQUITO
SCL-BLACKPINE
SCL-CALEX
SCL-DECORO
SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
SCL-MOUNTAINVIEW
SCL-PACIFICCREST
SCL-RANCHOTESORO
SCL-REYESABODE
SCL-REYESADOBE
SCL-RIONORTE
SCL-RYE
SCL-TESORODELAVALLE
SCL-WESTHILLS
SLC-REYESADOBE
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: College of the Canyons East Gym at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

A map of the Hughes Fire shows the multiple evacuation zones near Castaic Lake north of the Santa Clarita area.
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Jan 22, 2025, 10:13 PM GMT

Evacuation orders extended into Ventura County

Evacuation orders have been extended into Ventura County, reaching the Lake Piru area west of Castaic.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:48 PM GMT

Santa Clarita Movie Ranch stops production due to fire

A man who oversees multiple movie studios in the Santa Clarita Valley was forced to stop production Wednesday due to the Hughes Fire.

Daniel Veluzat with Santa Clarita Movie Ranch said at least one of his studios was forced to evacuate.

"We just pulled the plug on any production today," he said. "It's just not worth the risk. With these high winds, and the way that these embers fly like missiles, we can't take the chance. Those that don't understand how these fires work, somebody has to make that call and say, 'We've got to get to safety.'"

Daniel Veluzat with Santa Clarita Movie Ranch said at least one of his studios was forced to evacuate.
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Jan 22, 2025, 9:34 PM GMT

Castaic resident on evacuating: 'The urgency is definitely there'

Thousands of residents in the Castaic area were forced to flee their homes as the Hughes Fire quickly grew in size Wednesday, and some said the recent destruction left by the Palisades and Eaton fires gave them a sense of urgency.

"The urgency is definitely there. You think you're ready, but you're never ready. You're never really ready to go," said resident David Monroe. "... It hits you fast."

Among the items he paced: family mementos, pictures and his two dogs. His wife was unable to get past the road closures and to the house to help.

Thousands of residents in the Castaic area were forced to flee their homes as the Hughes Fire quickly grew in size Wednesday, and some said the recent destruction left by the Palisades and Eaton fires gave them a sense of urgency.

Still, he waited back a bit to see how the situation developed.

"If I see embers, I'm gone... We've done this before. We've been evacuated before... I'll be ready to go."

The Hughes Fire has burned at least 5,0054 acres.

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Jan 22, 2025, 9:34 PM GMT

Family rushes to protect home, pack ahead of evacuation

A family in Castaic grabbed a hose and wetted down their car and property as they prepared to flee their home amid the Hughes Fire.

Their relative recently lost his home in the Eaton Fire, as did some of their friends who live in the Pacific Palisades to the Palisades Fire.

In their neighborhood, located near Pine Crest Place and Ridge Rte. Drive, deputies were going door to door to urge residents to evacuate.

The family was understandably anxious, as their relative recently lost his home in the Eaton Fire.