Overview

• The Hughes Fire, which erupted near Castaic Lake on Wednesday, has burned over 38 square kilometers and prompted evacuation orders for 30,000 residents.
• Firefighters are battling the Hughes Fire alongside the Eaton and Palisades fires, which have been burning since early January and are now largely contained.
• At least 28 people have died, and over 15,000 buildings have been destroyed in the ongoing California wildfires, with damages estimated in the billions of dollars.
• Improved weather conditions, including reduced winds, have allowed aerial firefighting efforts to slow the spread of the Hughes Fire, which is 14% contained as of Thursday.
• President Donald Trump is expected to visit affected areas on Friday, following his controversial remarks linking federal aid to changes in California's water management policies.