Rain and Mountain Snow Forecast to Bring Relief but Also New Risks
LOS ANGELES: Firefighters have successfully halted the advance of the “Hughes Fire” located about 80 kilometers north of Los Angeles, with 4,000 firefighters involved in the effort, while California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package for the fire-affected region.
The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, burned around 10,176 acres (41 square kilometers) of land. Firefighters used air drops of water and retardant, along with hand tools and hoses, to contain the blaze.
Containment reached 24%, up from 14% earlier in the day. The fire led to the evacuation of 31,000 residents, with an additional 16,000 people under evacuation warnings.
Strong winds and low humidity were expected to persist, and rain and mountain snow have been forecast from Saturday to Monday, bringing some relief but also increasing the risk of mudslides.
Meanwhile, the Eaton and Palisades fires have been burning for 17 consecutive days, resulting in 28 fatalities and nearly 16,000 structures damaged.
Governor Newsom’s state relief package will cover ongoing operations and disaster recovery, with billions more in federal aid needed. President Trump, scheduled to visit California on Friday, has criticized the state’s water management and threatened to cut off federal funding unless changes are made.
