California Wildfires Force Tens of Thousands to Evacuate as Firefighters Battle New Blaze

The Hughes Fire near Los Angeles has rapidly expanded, joining ongoing efforts to contain devastating fires that have already claimed 28 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings.

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.