Location: Lake Hughes Road, Castaic 

Start Date: January 24, 2025 

Acres Burned: 10,425

Containment: 79%

Personnel: 1,725

Cause: Under Investigation 

Incident Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire 

Incident Information Line 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.: 

• Public Line: (626) 662-0120
• Media Line: (323) 881-2450

Current Situation: Firefighters charged forward and improved the control lines in addition to tactically patrolling neighborhoods to steadfastly protect structures and residents.

Shifting winds meant firefighters had to remain vigilant against the potential spread of the fire in any direction. Bravely facing these challenging conditions, resolute firefighters increased the fire’s containment to 79%. Night crews will continue the charge, working to keep the fire within its current perimeter and preparing for potential hazards such as localized flooding and debris flows due to rain.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department exited unified command as their vital role in keeping the community safe was relieved when evacuation orders were lifted allowing all residents to return to their homes. In light of the astonishing speed in which repopulating occurred, the Red Cross has closed their evacuation center for this fire.

Pending unforeseen changes, this will be the final evening update for the Hughes Fire. In addition, the phone lines will now be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Evacuation Map: For the most up-to-date Evacuation information visit Protect Genasys using the link: https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/994072d2-e154-434a-bb95-6f6c94c40829?z=14&latlon=34.55793522131029%2C-118.58305932960019

Road Closures:

• https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/ 
• https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ 

Forest Closure:  

The entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed through Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 midnight (end of day) for public safety and the protection of natural resources. 

• To read Forest Order No. 05-01-25-04, click here. 
• The temporary closure of the forest is tied to critical fire danger. Visit the Angeles National Forest fire restrictions webpage for more information. 

Fire Information: 

InciWeb Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire

Los Angeles County Fire Department: https://fire.lacounty.gov/

BAER INFORMATION BRIEF: Preparing for Rain after California Wildfires 

POST-FIRE WATERSHED CONDITIONS—KEY MESSAGES

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires cause damage that requires special efforts to prevent problems afterwards.

Summer monsoon thunderstorms and winter rain events in California mountain areas can result in high water runoff and flooding.

Wildfire increases the potential for flooding, post-fire soil erosion and debris flows that could impact campgrounds, fishing areas, homes, structures, roads, and other infrastructure within, adjacent to, and downstream from the burned areas.

Post-fire, watershed conditions will naturally receive and transport water and sediment differently than during pre-fire conditions.

The public and communities adjacent to and downstream from the wildfire areas should expect increased flooding and debris transport during less than average rain events.

SAFETY CONCERNS CONTINUE AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT

The potential for increased water runoff and debris flows are not just a one-year concern.

We recognize the threat potential of flash floods and debris flows may exist for the next several years, depending on the intensity of these storms.

For life and safety concerns, burned area public land closures are sometimes implemented prior to forecast rain events until the burned area fully recovers.

Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads within and downstream from the burned areas.

ASSESSING BURNED WATERSHEDS RESPONSE

Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams work with each of the national forests, to assess the condition of the watersheds on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by wildfires.

BAER assessment teams identify potential emergency threats to BAER critical values that may be considered at-risk on federal lands such as:

• Human life and safety.
• NFS property, such as buildings, water systems and infrastructure, utility systems, road and trail prisms.
• Critical natural resources such as water, soil productivity and hydrologic function, areas where invasive species or noxious weeds may impact native or naturalized communities and may include critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered species.
• Critical cultural and heritage resources such as pre-historic and historic properties and sites.

BAER assessment teams recommend emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal land to reduce potential post-fire threats.

PREPARING FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING AND DEBRIS-FLOWS FROM WILDFIRE BURNED AREAS

For values and resources potentially impacted off federal lands, one of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination with local cooperators who assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners with preparing for rain events.

While multi-agency efforts are being taken to reduce the risks to life and safety adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas, nearby residents should develop individual plans to protect themselves and their property.

The USDA Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work together and coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased water run-off and potential flooding impacts.

NRCS and local sponsors prepare damage survey reports for eligible sites on private lands adjacent to and downstream from affected areas.  NRCS uses these reports, along with the Forest Service BAER team’s assessment report, to develop emergency measures to reduce the impacts from potential increased water and debris flows, and assist local sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program: (NRCS_EWPP_Fact Sheet-2021.pdf (usda.gov)).

All EWP Program–Recovery projects begin with a local sponsor or legal subdivision of state or tribal government. Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns, conservation districts, or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Interested public and private landowners can apply for EWP Program–Recovery assistance through one of those sponsors. For more information on NRCS Disaster Assistance Programs: Emergency Watershed Protection | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov).

The following links provide information and references for state and local county offices of emergency management promote preparedness through its emergency services programs to assist the public to prepare for, respond appropriately to, and quickly recover from natural emergencies that may impact county residents and visitors:

Flood After Fire--California Toolkit

After the Fire—California Resources

California Current Road Conditions

Cal-Fire—Fire and Resource Assistance

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

California Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT)

Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires may be eligible for flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Information about NFIP is available through FEMA at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program, or FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods and www.floodsmart.gov/.

LINKS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND WEBSITES

NRCS California

NRCS Wildfire Disaster Recovery

NRCS Post-Fire Disaster Assistance

NRCS EWP Recovery Assistance

FEMA Wildfire Increases Flood Risk

FEMA Flood After Fire—Fact Sheet

Recovering from Wildfire-Damage Assessments

After the Wildfire Tool Kit

Flood Safety Emergency Preparedness

Be Ready & Prepare for Emergencies

NWS Weather Information—Los Angeles CA

NWS-Los Angeles Facebook

NWS Weather Information—Sacramento CA

NWS-Sacramento Facebook

NWS Post-Wildfire Flash Flood-Debris Flow Guide

NWS-Flood Safety

NWS Burn Scar Flash Flood & Debris Flow Risks

After the Flames Resources

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

###

Release Date: Jan 23, 2025

Contact(s): Dana Dierkes (626) 698-8482

ARCADIA, Calif., January 23, 2025—The entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through Friday, January 31, 2025. This means that the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument will not reopen until Saturday, February 1, 2025. This closure is tied to critical fire danger. During this time, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument:

1. Going into or being upon the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A. A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581

For more information about Forest Order No. 05-01-25-04, click here.

To see the previous forest order extension, which extends through Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, Forest Order No. 05-01-25-03, click here. 

Release Date: Jan 23, 2025

Contact(s): Dana Dierkes (626) 698-8482

ARCADIA, Calif., January 23, 2025—The entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through Friday, January 31, 2025. This means that the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument will not reopen until Saturday, February 1, 2025. This closure is tied to critical fire danger. During this time, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument:

1. Going into or being upon the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A. A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581

For more information about Forest Order No. 05-01-25-04, click here.

To see the previous forest order extension, which extends through Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, Forest Order No. 05-01-25-03, click here. 

Location: Lake Hughes Road, Castaic 

Start Date: January 22, 2025 

Acres Burned: 10,396

Containment: 56%

Personnel: 1,745

Cause: Under Investigation 

Incident Website: 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire 

Incident Information Line 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.: 

• Public Line: (626) 662-0120
• Media Line: (323) 881-2450

Current Situation: Firefighters worked tirelessly overnight to secure containment lines and put out hot spots. The hard work of fire crews successfully contained a slop-over on the north-west edge of the fire. On the southern flanks of the fire, crews engaged in structure protection efforts, improved contingency lines, and tactically patrolled the fire perimeter.

The Red Flag Warning will remain in effect until 10:00 a.m. today. There will be a directional change in the winds moving from Santa Ana conditions to onshore winds this afternoon. This may create erratic shifts that crews are prepping for to immediately and aggressively attack any new problem areas. The hard and diligent work of fire crews is creating progress despite extreme fire behavior, steep terrain, and low humidities.  

Firefighters will remain available within Castaic, Santa Clarita and any communities that may be potentially threatened by the fire.

Evacuation Map: For the most up-to-date Evacuation information visit Protect Genasys using the link: https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/994072d2-e154-434a-bb95-6f6c94c40829?z=14&latlon=34.55793522131029%2C-118.58305932960019

Road Closures:

• https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/ 
• https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ 

Forest Closure:  

The entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed through Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 midnight (end of day) for public safety and the protection of natural resources. 

• To read Forest Order No. 05-01-25-04, click here. 
• The temporary closure of the forest is tied to critical fire danger. Visit the Angeles National Forest fire restrictions webpage for more information. 

Fire Information: 

InciWeb Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire

Los Angeles County Fire Department: https://fire.lacounty.gov/

Location: Lake Hughes Road, Castaic 

Start Date: January 22, 2025 

Acres Burned: 10,396

Containment: 36%

Personnel: 1,745

Cause: Under Investigation 

Incident Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire 

Incident Information Line 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.: 

• Public Line: (626) 662-0120
• Media Line: (323) 881-2450

Current Situation: A highly successful initial attack yesterday set the stage for today's continued aggressive air and ground operations. In the northern part of the fire, crews continued going direct on the fire in coordination with air resources. The hard work of fire crews successfully contained a slop-over on the eastern flank of the fire. On the southern flanks of the fire, crews engaged in direct attack, improved contingency lines, and tactically patrolled; vigilantly working against expansion of the fire.

Today’s high winds tested the fire’s containment lines, and crews responded swiftly to a spot fire along the west flank affecting approximately 100 acres. Crews engaged in both direct and indirect suppression efforts to improve our posture against the fire. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 10:00 a.m. Friday and we are posed to swiftly protect the communities in which our crews are staged. Despite extreme fire behavior conditions, firefighters increased the fire’s containment to 36%. 

Crews will continue the firefight throughout the night: improving fireline, performing tactical patrols, and mopping up hot spots to prevent the fire’s spread. Firefighters will remain staged within Castaic, Santa Clarita and any communities that are threatened by the fire.

Evacuation Map: For the most up-to-date Evacuation information visit Protect Genasys using the link: https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/994072d2-e154-434a-bb95-6f6c94c40829?z=14&latlon=34.55793522131029%2C-118.58305932960019

Road Closures:

• https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/ 
• https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ 

Forest Closure:  

The entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed through Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 midnight (end of day) for public safety and the protection of natural resources. 

• To read Forest Order No. 05-01-25-04, click here. 
• The temporary closure of the forest is tied to critical fire danger. Visit the Angeles National Forest fire restrictions webpage for more information. 

Fire Information: 

InciWeb Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire

Los Angeles County Fire Department: https://fire.lacounty.gov/

NASA –EARTH OBSERVATORY: Eaton Fire Leaves California Landscape Charred

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153821/eaton-fire-leaves-california-landscape-charred

January 11, 2025

On the afternoon of January 11, 2025, NASA’s AVIRIS-3 (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3) flew aboard a B200 aircraft over Los Angeles County, where it captured images of several areas affected by wildland fires. (SEE MAP IMAGE UNDER “MAPS” TAB ON THIS INCIWEB SITE)

These false-color images show areas burned by the Eaton fire in Altadena and parts of Pasadena, Arcadia, and Sierra Madre. Charred trees and buildings in developed areas appear dark brown, whereas the burned wildland areas, particularly in Angeles National Forest, are shades of orange.

The Eaton fire ignited in the hills of Eaton Canyon, near Altadena, on the evening of January 7. By 10:30 a.m. the next day, the fire had quickly grown to cover more than 10,000 acres (40 square kilometers), according to Cal Fire. Around the time of this image on January 11, it had expanded to 14,117 acres (57 square kilometers), and the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported it was about 15 percent contained.

The AVIRIS-3 optical sensor collects data in 286 bands in the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from visible violet light at a wavelength of 380 nanometers to shortwave infrared at 2,500 nanometers. In the past, AVIRIS images have been useful for investigating fire behavior and the effects of fire emissions. They are also used for post-fire analyses, such as fire severity, area burned, soil erosion, and other environmental change.

“In addition to assisting with damage assessments, these data may help us understand the chemical composition and toxic nature of ash in the post-fire environment and how it redistributes over time via wind and water flows, with subsequent data acquisitions,” said Michael Falkowski, manager of NASA’s wildland fire program.

As of the morning of January 15, the Eaton fire had stopped expanding, and it was 45 percent contained. Preliminary estimates indicate that thousands of structures were destroyed, according to Cal Fire.

NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System has been activated to support agencies responding to the fires, including the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Response activities are centered on two primary requests from the local emergency managers: damage assessment information on built infrastructure, and impacts of air quality and human health risks. The team will be posting maps and data products on its open-access mapping portal as new information becomes available.

Explore interactive maps of these images on the AVIRIS data portal.

NASA Earth Observatory images annotated by Lauren Dauphin using data from Airborne Visible / Infrared Imaging Spectrometer-3 (AVIRIS-3) instrument, via NASA Earthdata Search. The AVIRIS-3 LA Fire datasets were archived to Earthdata Search through the ORNL DAAC’s AVIRIS Facility Instrument collections. Story by Emily Cassidy.

EATON POST-FIRE BAER & INTERAGENCY PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER (VIDEO)

Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team specialists Eric Schroder, Todd Ellsworth, Nathan Clark, USGS Francis Rengers, with production assistance from the Los Angeles County Fire Department PIO video team provide an overview of BAER, the BAER team’s Eaton Post-Fire burned area response, and how important it is for the BAER team to coordinate, work, and share information and data with our Interagency Cooperators and Partners.

YOU-TUBE VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/z79w_XWW0oY?si=S_hRrh6c3s5PUmJT

BAER UPDATE: Hurst Post-Fire BAER Soil Burn Severity Map Released

January 23, 2025

USDA Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for federal lands in the Hurst Fire burned area to produce a post-fire Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map. The BAER team’s SBS analysis and data information are shared with many cooperating agencies such as NOAA National Weather Service, US Geological Survey (USGS), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CA Watershed Emergency Response Team, Los Angeles County, and other federal, state, and local city agencies.

The BAER assessment team used initial remote sensing imagery with their field-validated soils data to develop and produce a map showing soil burn severity levels for the burned area. The SBS is broken into four different classes: unburned/very low (green), low (blue), moderate (yellow), and high (red). For more information on these different SBS classifications, see the BAER Information Brief at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/caanf-eatonhurst-postfire-baer/baer-information-brief-understanding-soil-burn-severity-01-20-2025.

The BAER SBS map and data display categories of unburned/very low, low, moderate, and high soil burn severity in different colors for the different categories. Of the 844 acres within the Hurst Fire perimeter, 577 acres are non-Forest Service land, and 267 acres are National Forest System (NFS) land. Of the 844 acres analyzed by the Forest Service BAER team, approximately 53% of these acres are either unburned/very low or low soil burn severity, while 45% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and about 2% were identified as having high soil burn severity. 

You may see several types of fire severity and intensity maps. If they look different for the same fire, it is because they measure different metrics to describe the effects of the fire. Vegetation burn severity is different than soil burn severity. You can look at a burned area and intuitively know that the fire was severe when vegetation has burned off. Fire effects to the soil are not as obvious; but they are critical for predicting what could happen during storm events in the first couple years of storms. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) maps are primarily measures of fire effects on soils. See also Fire Intensity vs. Soil Severity Effects BAER Information Brief at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/caanf-eatonhurst-postfire-baer/baer-information-brief-fire-severity-and-fire-intensity-effects-01-20-2025.

Heat from fire changes soil chemistry which in turn affects what will happen during storm events after fires. The team hydrologists, soil scientists, and geologists use the final soil burn severity map to model and predict areas likely to experience flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and debris flows. The BAER team, the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the California State Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) all utilize the soil burn severity map as an analysis tool to estimate post-fire watershed response to precipitation events. In specific areas that are predicted to have high levels of post-fire response, the team and their partner agencies assess the need for and feasibility of various treatments.

The Hurst Post-Fire BAER SBS map can be downloaded at the Eaton-Hurst Post-Fire BAER InciWeb site: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-eatonhurst-postfire-baer under the Maps” tab.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act and note emergency alerts issued by Los Angeles County. Current weather and emergency notifications can also be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

###

Location: Lake Hughes Road, Castaic 

Start Date: January 22, 2025 

Acres Burned: 10,176

Containment: 14%

Personnel: 1,200

Cause: Under Investigation 

Incident Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire 

Incident Information Line 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.: 

• Public Line: (626) 662-0120
• Media Line: (323) 881-2450

Current Situation: On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 10:24 a.m. firefighters responded to a brush fire reported near Lake Hughes Road, north of Castaic Reservoir Road in Castaic, CA. The Angeles National Forest is in unified command with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Cal Fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the Bureau of Land Management. 

Overnight firefighters, with support from aircraft and dozers, fought aggressively and were challenged by extreme fire behavior, terrain, and weather. They kept the fire from spreading to Elderberry Canyon, the Castaic Hydroelectric Power Plant and surrounding communities. Today, crews will continue focusing on establishing and holding control lines on all flanks of the fire. Firefighters will continue reinforcing control lines and holding the fire in its current footprint, protecting the Wayside Honor Rancho and structures along Charlie Canyon drainage. Additional fire engines will be staged within the community of Castaic to prevent any fire spread. A red flag warning remains in effect for the area until 10:00 a.m. Friday. A high wind warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Today firefighters expect extreme fire behavior and will continue to aggressively fight the blaze day and night with support from aircraft. 

Evacuation Map: For the most up-to-date Evacuation information visit Protect Genasys using the link: https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/994072d2-e154-434a-bb95-6f6c94c40829?z=14&latlon=34.55793522131029%2C-118.58305932960019

Road Closures:

• https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/ 
• https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ 

Forest Closure:  

The entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed through January 24, 2025, at 12:00 midnight (end of day) for public safety and the protection of natural resources. 

• To read Forest Order No. 05-01-25-03, click here. 
• The temporary closure of the forest is tied to critical fire danger. Visit the Angeles National Forest fire restrictions webpage for more information. 

Fire Information: 

InciWeb Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hughes-fire

Los Angeles County Fire Department: https://fire.lacounty.gov/