3 New Fires Erupt Across 3 California Counties – Latest Details
As wildfires continue to devastate areas of Los Angeles, three new fires have been reported in California: the Hughes Fire, the Bernardo Fire, and the Clay Fire. Here’s the latest information on each blaze and the efforts to control them.
Hughes Fire, Los Angeles County
On January 22, 2025, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) confirmed a new wildfire in the Castaic area, spanning 3,407 acres.
Evacuations are in progress as CAL FIRE, along with federal agencies, utilizes “pre-positioned resources” to launch an initial attack on the fire. Collaborating with Angeles National Forest and other local, state, and tribal partners, the department is working to manage the blaze.
CAL FIRE shared a map highlighting the impacted areas and encouraged residents to sign up for Los Angeles County emergency alerts. The fire currently affects both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
As of the latest update, only 14% of the Hughes Fire is contained, with 10,176 acres burned. The fire originated near Lake Hughes Road, north of Castaic Reservoir Road in Castaic. Efforts to combat the blaze are being led by CAL FIRE, the US Forest Service, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol, Southern Division, are actively assisting with the firefighting and evacuation efforts. Authorities are strongly urging residents to evacuate immediately to safeguard their lives and property, taking pets and livestock with them.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for the following zones: CAS-CAMBRIDGE, CAS-GOLDENSTATE, CAS-GREENHILL, CAS-HASLEY, CAS-HILLCREST, CAS-INDUSTRY, CAS-LIVEOAK, CAS-OAKCANYON, CAS-ROMERO, CAS-SLOAN, CAS-VALVERDE, GOR-E004, and GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY.
Additional areas under evacuation warnings include zones LAC-E005, LAC-E009-B, LAC-E011-A, LAC-E011-B, LAC-E017, LAC-E018, LAC-E030, SCL-BLACKPINE, SCL-CALEX, SCL-DECORO, SCL-MOUNTAINVIEW, SCL-PACIFICCREST, SCL-RANCHOTESORO, SCL-REYESABODE, SCL-RIONORTE, SCL-WESTHILLS, SCL-RYE, and VNC Zones 2–8.
In an update provided on January 23, CAL FIRE reported that, as of 1 p.m. the previous day, four hand crews, bulldozers, 20 pre-positioned engines, and aircraft were deployed to assist firefighting efforts.
The department stated, “More than 1,100 firefighters have been strategically stationed across the region to respond to the ongoing critical fire conditions under Red Flag Warnings.”
The designated evacuation center is located at the College of the Canyons East Gym, at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California.
Center Fire (Bernardo Fire), San Diego County
On the same day the Hughes Fire was reported, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) announced a blaze in Rancho Bernardo. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the department stated, “A brush fire has broken out in Rancho Bernardo, with the potential to reach 100 acres.”
So far, one individual has been hospitalized with burn injuries, and several structures remain under threat. Evacuations were quickly initiated, with photos shared by SDFD showing thick black smoke rising on the horizon.
Later that day, the department posted videos of firefighters battling the flames on the ground, alongside footage of aircraft dropping water. The fire was officially named the Center Fire.
Thanks to rapid aerial responses, progress has been made in containing the fire, though it continues to pose a threat to nearby homes. While most evacuation orders have been lifted, the fire has burned a total of seven acres so far.
