(CLO) Strong winds and prolonged dry weather are causing new wildfires to break out in southern California, including a serious fire near Los Angeles that has forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
The Hughes Fire, located about 50 miles north of Los Angeles, has grown to 11,000 acres (4,118 hectares) since it broke out Wednesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The fire is now only 14 percent contained.
The Hughes Fire is still evolving. Photo: X
A force of 4,000 firefighters is battling the Hughes Fire, along with two other major fires in Los Angeles, the Palisades and the Eaton. Forecasters warn that Santa Ana winds could reach 50 mph (80 km/h), with gusts as high as 65 mph (105 km/h), while humidity levels drop below 10%, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread over the next two days.
"Any fire that starts could spread quickly and get out of control," the National Weather Service (NWS) warned.
About 31,000 people were evacuated from the Castaic Lake area, near Santa Clarita, as the fire raged, sending huge plumes of smoke and flames over the mountainous region.
Two other major fires, the Eaton and Palisades, have devastated east and west Los Angeles in the past two weeks, killing 28 people and destroying nearly 16,000 structures.
Southern California has gone nine months without significant rain, making vegetation extremely flammable. Forecasters are predicting rain from Saturday to Monday, which could provide some relief to firefighters.
However, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that the rainfall could trigger landslides, especially in areas severely affected by wildfires. “We are taking aggressive measures, including installing barriers, clearing fire debris, and diverting water to reduce the risk of flash flooding,” Bass said at a press conference on January 22.
US President Donald Trump, who has criticized California's handling of the wildfires, is expected to visit the area on Friday. In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Mr. Trump threatened to cut off federal funding if the state did not change its water management practices.
“I don’t think we should give California any more money unless they let the water flow freely,” Trump said, referring to water conservation measures in northern California that are affecting firefighting in Los Angeles.
Cao Phong (according to NBC, ABC, NYT)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chay-rung-o-los-angeles-bung-phat-manh-do-gio-lon-post331791.html
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