USA Wildfire north of L.A. drives thousands to flee
A new wildfire that is spreading rapidly has forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Southern California.
23.01.2025, 03:04
SDA
The so-called "Hughes" fire broke out around 70 kilometers north of Los Angeles. According to the fire department, the flames spread over an area of more than 38 square kilometers within a few hours. Around 30,000 people in the affected districts were asked to leave the danger zone. According to the authorities, there were initially no reports of houses being burnt down.
Thick smoke lay over the region. TV pictures showed burning hills and huge clouds of smoke. A section of Highway 5, an important traffic artery in California, was temporarily closed. The authorities referred to persistent winds, which would contribute to an increased fire risk.
Progress in fighting the fire
Over the past few days, thousands of firefighters have made progress in fighting two wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The "Eaton" fire was 91 percent contained on Wednesday, while the "Palisades" fire was almost 70 percent under control. The fires are estimated to have destroyed more than 15,000 buildings in the region so far. The number of confirmed deaths has risen to 28.
