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Hughes fire rages on as red flag warning continues into Thursday

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Amid an extended red flag warning, the Hughes fire exploded north of Castaic on Wednesday while another fire ignited shortly after 11 p.m. in Bel-Air on the eastern side of the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass.

A fire burns early Thursday morning in the Sepulveda Pass.

Fire in Bel-Air frays nerves as red flag weather is set to peak Thursday in Los Angeles

CASTAIC, CA - JANUARY 22: Firefighters work the grounds to prevent the spread of the Hughes fire on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Castaic, CA. The fire started north of Castaic and has exploded to more than 5,000 acres in under two hours. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Hughes fire scorches more than 10,000 acres near Castaic; thousands flee

Altadena, CA - January 19: Entire blocks of homes were destroyed by the Eaton fire, photographed on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 in Altadena, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Tracking the Fires

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Hughes fire explodes north of Castaic, forcing evacuations

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Western Altadena, site of all 17 Eaton fire deaths, was issued evacuation order nearly eight hours after eastern Altadena

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Western Altadena, site of all 17 Eaton fire deaths, was issued evacuation order nearly eight hours after eastern Altadena

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Examining the Fires

This reservoir was built to save Pacific Palisades. It was empty when the flames came

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 18: National Guard posted at Sunset Boulevard and Via de la Paz in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Fires and windstorms caused at least $350 million in damage to L.A. public facilities, report says

Altadena, CA - January 21: Drone images of western Altadena where residents got evacuation order many hours after Eaton fire exploded. All of the 17 deaths confirmed so far in the Eaton fire occurred in areas of western Altadena that received emergency evacuation orders many hours after the fire started. Photographed on west Terrace Street Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 in Altadena, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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ALTADENA, CA - JANUARY 10, 2025 - - Claire Wavell, stands near a casita, destroyed in the Eaton fire, in the backyard of her family's home in Altadena on January 10, 2025. The majority of the home survived the Eaton fire and is still standing. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Western Altadena got evacuation order many hours after Eaton fire exploded. 17 people died there

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 17, 2025 - - Investigators look over the site at the base of a transformer that may have been the cause of the Eaton Fire in Pasadena on January 17, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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Pacific Palisades, CA - January 07: The Palisades fire destroys a home on El Medio Ave. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 17, 2025 - - Homeowners Michael and Josie Olson, both 70, stand in the backyard of their home overlooking the transformer that may have been where the Eaton fire began in Pasadena on January 17, 2025. The couple's home and their neighbor's homes along Canyon Close Road survived the fire even though they were in close proximity. "We had a first row seat to history," said Olson. "But for the grace of God and the Pasadena fire department, we wouldn't be here today," he concluded. They have lived in the home for 23 years. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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This Wednesday, March 18, 2015 photo shows the front of the headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power lost up to $88 million in commercial billings because of the botched rollout of a computer billing system. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

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TOPSHOT - In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire in Malibu, Los Angeles county, California on January 9, 2025. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally uncontained January 9, 2025, authorities said, as US National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder. Swaths of the United States' second-largest city lay in ruins, with smoke blanketing the sky and an acrid smell pervading almost every building. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

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ALTADENA, CA - JANUARY 15, 2025 - - Workers with Southern California Edison attach lines to a telephone pole among the ruins of a structure destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena on January 15, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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ALTADENA, CA - JANUARY 14: Destroyed cars and homes on Loma Alta Drive in Altadena, CA on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

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Pasadena, CA - January 12: Power lines in Eaton Canyon on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 in Pasadena, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Pacific Palisades, CA - January 13: LAPD officers keep the public and media out of the Skull Rock Trailhead in an area that is under investigation as a potential starting point for the Palisades fire on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - JANUARY 7, 2025 - - A firefighter tries to put out a portion of the Pacific Palisades fire that threatens a nearby building along Sunset Blvd. In Pacific Palisades on January 7, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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A stairway is all that's left of a house that burned down from the Palisades Fire on PCH in Malibu.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: California Governor Gavin Newsom (R) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second major fire continues to burn near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

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SYLMAR, CA - JANUARY 08: The Hurst fire burns in the hills above Sylmar, CA on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles, CA - January 11: California Gov. Gavin Newsom stands with firefighters from Mexico arriving to combat multiple wildfires overtaking southern California at LAX on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / For the Times)

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second major fire continues to burn near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

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Altadena, CA, Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 - LA County firefighter Scott Takeguma works to douse the flames on home in North Altadena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025 - - The fire ravaged Palisades Elementary Charter School in Pacific Palisades on January 8, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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Altadena, CA, Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 - Samuel Girma braves the heat of a burning house as he tries to prevent it's spread Nextdoor on LaPaz Rd. as the Eaton Fire continues to grow. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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ALTADENA, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025: The Bank of America building burns along with many other businesses on Lake Avenue during the Eaton fire on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 12: These electrical lines and towers are seen along North Altadena Drive to the northwest of where the fire may have been sparked, seen on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 in Pasadena, CA. (John McCoy / For The Times)

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SANTA MONICA, CA - JANUARY 17: The view of Alexandra Clark's neighbor's house from her backyard. Her Pacific Palisades house survived with minor damage. Photographed on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

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Malibu, CA - January 15: Drone images in the aftermath of the Palisades fire above PCH in Malibu between Rambla Pacifico St. and Carbon Canyon Rd. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Malibu, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 2,900 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second major fire continues to burn near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15, 2025: Volunteer counselors Ann McNamee, top left, and Maddy Cross play Duck-Duck-Goose with children who attend Project Camp, free childcare care to families impacted by the fires, at Eagle Rock Recreation Center on January 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Brentwood, CA - January 14: Fire retardant coats the roof of a home in Mandeville Canyon where firefighters are preparing for high winds forecasted for the burn areas in the Palisade fire zone on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Brentwood, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Altadena, CA - January 11: Firefighters extinguish hot spots at a home destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles, CA - January 14: 14 year old Avery Colvert, not pictured, who started Altadena Girls to gather donations for teen girls who lost their homes in the Eaton fire, distributes items from a warehouse in LA. Teen girls and their families and some of the supplies they might be getting, whether it's cosmetics or hair supplies, etc. in Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. She launched the effort on Instagram on Friday Jan. 10 and it blew up, attracting support from a slew of celebrities. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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PASADENA, CA - AUGUST 12, 2024: A Pasadena city official walks in front of an entrance which has been blocked off with yellow caution tape after magnitudes 4.4 earthquake centered in nearby Highland Park caused a water pipe to burst at City Hall on August 12, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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SANTA MONICA, CA - JANUARY 7, 2025 - - Palisades resident Maggie Stokes, 79, keeps an eye on the Palisades fire from the California Incline in Santa Monica on January 7, 2025. Stokes had to evacuate her home in Palisades. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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Pasadena, CA - January 10: Volunteers help people load bags of goods at a large donation site has sprung up outside the Rose Bowl. It started out as a way to feed those impacted by the Eaton Fire, but it quickly turned into something even more special. "It started with just two hotdog carts. We planned to give out just 500 hotdogs," said Juan Diaz. That, however, quickly changed. Now, it's become a pop-up donation site where people in need can pick up food, clothing, toiletries, baby items and just about anything else to help them survive the next few days. The drop off sight was later moved to 100 West Walnut Ave. in Pasadena. Photo taken Rose Bowl in Pasadena Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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INGLEWEOOD, CA - May 11, 2022: Diners having their breakfast orders taken at The Serving Spoon Restaurant. Photographed for a feature about iconic diners in Los Angeles. Credit: Damon Casarez for The L.A. Times.

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Altadena, CA, Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 - Greg Voorhies douses smoldering vegetation while trying to stop a neighbors house from igniting on Sinaloa Ave. as the Eaton Fire continues to grow. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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Altadena, CA - January 09: People walk with their belongings past burned down homes after the Eaton fire destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Altadena Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025 - - A home is fully engulfed by the Palisades fire along Haverford Avenue in Pacific Palisades on January 7, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA, JANUARY 11, 2025: Ana Ashby, takes a moment to process the loss of her home in Pacific Palisades on Saturday, January 11, 2025. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

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Malibu, CA - January 08: SMole obscures the devastation of homes by the Palisades fire on PCH on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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ALTADENA, CA, JANUARY 9, 2025: A climbing dome in the playground of AFC Preschool in Altadena, burned in the Eaton Fire, on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

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ALTADENA, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025: A business and vehicle are a total loss as flames from the wind driven Eaton fire destroyed many businesses along Lake Avenue on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center burns during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2025. A ferocious wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations January 7, as hurricane-force winds tore through the region. More than 200 acres (80 hectares) was burning in Pacific Palisades, a upscale spot with multi-million dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains. Across town, on the northern edge of Los Angeles, another fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, near Pasadena, quickly consuming 200 acres (81 hectares) later in the night, according to Angeles National Forest officials. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

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