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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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Lake Fire Spreads, Moving Northeast

The Lake Hughes fire continued to spread in the Antelope Valley Friday, covering upwards of 11,600 acres and encroaching on 5,000-plus homes in Lancaster. Structures destroyed by the fire increased from three to five, although a full damage report had not been released specifying if the buildings were commercial or residential, a representative with the Los Angeles County Fire Department told the Business Journal. As for structures threatened, LAFD’s representative said the fire is moving northeast — away from multiple bedroom communities on the western edge of Lancaster. LAFD reported that 12 percent of the north Valley blaze was contained as of 8 a.m. Friday. Officials expect the fire to be fully contained by Sept. 2 – more than 2 ½ weeks from now. “Poor overnight humidity recovery allowed the fire to remain active moving into drainages with downslope winds and critically dry fuels,” LAFD said in an incident report Friday. An excessive heat warning took effect for the area at 11 a.m., LAFD added, and “critical fire conditions” could develop when onshore winds combine with dry heat. Evacuations are still in place for residents along Lake Hughes Road West of Pine Canyon and north of Dry Gulch Road; east of Ridge Route Road; west of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78; north of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road; and south of SR-138. Highland High School in Palmdale and Castaic Sports Complex remain available for evacuees and their small animals. Larger animals are asked to be brought to the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Palmdale.

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