As wildfires continue to threaten communities in Southern California, the rapidly spreading Hughes Fire has prompted evacuation orders for more than 50,000 residents. The blaze, which ignited on Wednesday, January 22, quickly consumed nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, according to reports.

Despite critical fire risk conditions, safety measures have allowed firefighters to gain some control, with approximately 14% of the fire contained as of Wednesday night. Firefighting crews have been able to deploy aerial resources more effectively this time due to less intense winds compared to previous weeks. By late Wednesday, aerial teams had dropped tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the flames.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone highlighted a marked improvement in the firefighting situation compared to earlier blazes, stating, “The situation that we’re in today is very different from the situation we were in 16 days ago.” As precautionary measures, red flag warnings have been extended across LA and Ventura counties through Friday morning, with officials continuously monitoring for any potential breaks in the containment of the ongoing Palisades and Eaton fires.

Evacuations were ordered in areas such as Sherman Oaks, while emergency warnings were issued for additional regions with winds still gusting at over 40 mph (67 kph). More than 31,000 residents have been ordered to leave their homes as firefighters responded to new flare-ups, while another 23,000 were advised to prepare for immediate evacuation.

In the wake of the fire, officials are concerned about the forecast of potential rain, with a 60% to 80% chance of precipitation over the weekend. While the much-needed rain could help suppress fire activity, it also raises fears of toxic runoff and mudslides due to the charcoal-strewn environment.

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles has called for the immediate removal of ash-laden debris, citing health risks associated with heavy metals and arsenic present in ash from burned structures. Public health officials are advising residents on protective measures against toxic air during the Santa Ana wind event.

Local authorities continue to face challenges as they deal with ongoing investigations into the causes of the fires, with lawsuits surfacing against utility companies alleged to have connections with the ignitions. President Donald Trump plans to visit LA on Friday to assess damage and recovery efforts.

As firefighters battle the spread of the Hughes Fire, they remain vigilant about hot spots in Palisades and Eaton, which have collectively destroyed over 14,000 structures since erupting earlier this month, resulting in at least 28 fatalities.

For ongoing updates, follow AP News regarding wildfires in Southern California.