Southern California Wildfires: Progress Made Amid Gusty Winds, Rain Expected

Firefighters in Southern California are making headway in battling new blazes fueled by strong winds. However, anticipated rainfall this weekend may provide some relief.

The Hughes Fire in rugged terrain north of Los Angeles has consumed over 10,000 acres and is currently 24% contained. The Sepulveda Fire near the Getty Center and Bel Air has been 60% contained after scorching 45 acres.

In Ventura County, the Laguna Fire has burned 50 acres and remains uncontained, forcing the evacuation of California State University Channel Islands. A small fire in La Jolla near San Diego has also prompted evacuations.

President Trump is scheduled to visit Los Angeles on Friday to assess the damage and discuss the state's response. Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign legislation allocating $2.5 billion for recovery efforts.

The US Storm Prediction Center predicts sustained wind in Los Angeles and Ventura counties throughout Thursday, easing overnight. Red flag warnings will be lifted in the Los Angeles area on Friday morning, with rain potentially arriving on Saturday night.

"They do need the rain," said Brian Hurley of the US Weather Prediction Center. "It's the first rainfall in a long time for many of these areas."

These new fires follow a series of blazes that claimed 28 lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed over 16,000 structures. The Palisades and Eaton fires, responsible for the majority of the damage, continue to burn but are close to containment.

Shares of Edison International and PG&E Corp., previously held liable for sparking past California wildfires, declined as the Hughes Fire spread. Both companies experience slight further declines on Thursday. Edison has cut power to over 111,000 customers due to the high winds.

While the Hughes Fire briefly closed a portion of Interstate 5, the route has since reopened. However, a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway remains shut due to containment and cleanup efforts related to the Palisades Fire.