More than 50,000 people are under evacuation orders or warnings as a huge and fast-moving Hughes fire wildfire swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles.

More than a thousand structures have been destroyed and lives lost as wildfires sweep across parts of Los Angeles.

LA Wildfires

The Hughes fire has rapidly spread across rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, prompting evacuation orders or warnings for more than 55,000 residents. The fire is threatening communities, including the affluent neighborhood of Bel Air, as well as less populated areas. Residents describe the fire as a "powder keg," revealing their reliance on the Los Angeles County Fire Department during this crisis.

This new blaze follows two other massive wildfires that recently ravaged the region, destroying thousands of homes and buildings. The current fire is exacerbated by high winds, drought, and low humidity, increasing the risk of further spread. A forecast of rain may offer some relief, but it also raises concerns about potential mudslides on fire-compromised slopes, prompting preparation efforts from crews.

At least 28 fatalities have been reported due to these fires, which may become the costliest in U.S. history. Political tensions have arisen as President Donald Trump has suggested reducing federal disaster aid to California, emphasizing state-level solutions. Despite this, the response to the fires remains an extensive national and international effort, with support from various personnel, including Canadians. Authorities maintain that they are better equipped than before to handle the evolving situation, though vigilance remains necessary as the fire continues to pose a significant threat.



Hughes fire forces thousands to flee Los Angeles

Just when it all seemed to be getting under control again more of the landscape around Los Angeles burns. This fire threatening the pricey neighborhood of Bel Air. Well north of L.A. the Hughes fire is engulfing mountainsides. All of it putting at least another 55,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings. Residents say it came up fast. Basically you're kind of just sitting in the middle of a real powder keg so to speak and really the only thing you can the only thing you can really do is put a lot of confidence in the L.A. County Fire Department. It comes just after two other massive fires destroyed thousands of homes and buildings leveling entire neighborhoods. Thousands have lost their home. The latest fires are in less populated areas but risk spreading driven by high winds in drought and low humidity. For the first time in months forecasts call for rain but that could bring another problem. Mudslides on fire compromise slopes. Crews are preparing. Mudslides are going to be an issue for everybody throughout L.A. County but we're as prepared as we can be for for this this type of thing. At least 28 people are dead. The fires may be the costliest in U.S. history. If scenes like this aren't bad enough there's the politics. The new president Donald Trump letting California know he'd like the federal government to get out of disaster aid. Telling Fox News. I'd rather see the states take care of their own problems. But with all the crew and equipment this is very much a national and international effort involving thousands of personnel including Canadians. Authorities say they can handle what's coming. The situation that we're in today is much different than the situation we were in 16 days ago. Still it will take work. The flames and wind carry both a clear risk and message. It's not over yet. Cameron McIntosh, CBC News, Winnipeg.

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LA Wildfires