Not over yet: Thousands flee from new fire near Los Angeles!

By Barbara Munker

Los Angeles (California, USA) - A new wildfire that is spreading rapidly has forced thousands of people to flee their homes in Southern California. The so-called "Hughes" fire broke out around 70 kilometers north of Los Angeles.

The tower of the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park with the burning Hughes fire in the background.
The tower of the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park with the burning Hughes fire in the background.  © Dean Musgrove/The Orange County Register/AP/dpa

According to the fire department, the flames spread to 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 covered 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 risk of fire.

Over the past few days, thousands of firefighters had made progress in fighting two wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Firefighters at work as the Hughes Fire continues to spread in Castaic near Los Angeles.
ContentImage.Description   © Brandon Bell/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP

The "Eaton" fire was 91 percent contained yesterday (local time), while the "Palisades" fire was almost 70 percent under control. According to estimates, more than 15,000 buildings in the region have been destroyed by the fires so far. The number of confirmed deaths has risen to 28.