Thousands flee as fresh fire erupts in Los Angeles

KABUL (Pajhwok): A new, rapidly-spreading wildfire has broken out in Los Angeles County, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate an area already devastated by destructive blazes, the BBC reported on Thursday.

The Hughes Fire ignited on Wednesday afternoon about 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, near Castaic Lake, in a mountainous region that borders several residential neighborhoods and schools.

Fueled by strong winds and dry brush, the fire rapidly expanded to over 9,400 acres within hours, the report added.

Approximately, 31,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and Interstate 5 - the primary highway running along the West Coast from Mexico to Canada - is closed.

This new fire is burning north of two massive blazes that continue to ravage the Los Angeles area, having already destroyed multiple neighbourhoods earlier this month.

Two additional fires have broken out farther south, near San Diego and Oceanside. These fires are smaller, with the Lilac Fire near Oceanside spanning 85 acres, and the Bernardo Fire burning 3.9 acres, but both are located in populated areas.

Fire crews appear to have gained control of these blazes, with evacuation orders mostly lifted and progress halted.

In Los Angeles County, local news footage showed residents near the Hughes Fire dousing their homes and yards with water, while others rushed to evacuate.

The region is again under a red-flag warning, signaling high fire risk due to strong winds and dry, low-humidity conditions.

sa/mud