Two more fires—the Hurst/Sylmar Fire and the Tamarack Fire — erupted on Tuesday evening in Los Angeles County, prompting evacuations and highway closures.
Sylmar Fire
After 10:30 p.m., officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for the Hurst Fire – also referred to as the Sylmar Fire.
Early estimates suggested the fire was 100 acres, though just after 1:30 a.m. the fire had purportedly grown to some 500 acres. By 7 a.m. Wednesday, the fire had grown to 505 acres and by 9:30 p.m., it grew to 855 acres with 10% containment.
Officials issued evacuations for the following areas:
- Mandatory Evacuation
- North of 210 Freeway from Roxford to the Interstate 5 / 14 Freeway split
- Evacuation Warning:
- 5 Freeway to Woodley/Balboa to Lahey Street to Zelzah Ave
- Calgrove
- Newhall Pass
- Wildwood
- Eternal Valley
- Evacuation Shelters
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Pacoima, CA 91331
- Northridge Park: 10120 Reseda Blvd. Northridge, CA 91324
- Sepulveda Recreation Center: 8825 Kester Ave. Panorama City, CA 9140
- Road Closures
- WB I-210 at ROXFORD Blvd.
- NB AND SB I-5 TO EB I-210
The flames reportedly first broke out around 10:10 p.m. just north of the 210 Freeway, near the 5 / 14 split.
Just after 1:30 a.m., Governor Gavin Newsom announced California secured federal assistance to support the response to the Hurst Fire.
“We are working vigorously to ensure maximum support for firefighting efforts in Los Angeles, including the Hurst Fire, which is now threatening San Fernando and Newhall,” read the Governor’s statement. “Thank you to all our firefighting personnel and first responders protecting Californians in harm’s way.”
The Governor’s office said the Hurst Fire has prompted evacuation orders for more than 44,000 people and evacuation warnings for 27,000, with 40,000 structures threatened.
After 2 a.m., officials warned that Santa Clarita residents should be prepared as the Hurst Fire approaches the area amid current wind storms.
L.A. City Emergency Alerts posted the evacuations on X, adding, “Those not in the evacuation area should shelter in place.”
Caltrans also announced on X that all lanes of the Westbound I-210 were closed at 11:38 p.m. with all traffic being diverted off at Roxford Street.
“Also, Southbound I-5 connector to eastbound I-210 is closed,” Caltrans said. “Expect more closures soon in this vicinity.”
For an interactive map of the evacuation zones for the Hurst/Sylmar Fire from LAFD, click here.
The Sylmar Fire is seen in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night. January 2025. (Amel Kharchenko KNN) 
The Sylmar Fire is seen in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night. January 2025. (KKN) 
Evacuees of the Sylmar Fire are seen in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night. January 2025. (Amel Kharchenko KNN) 
The Sylmar Fire is seen in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night. January 2025. (Amel Kharchenko KNN) 
Evacuees of the Sylmar Fire are seen in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night. January 2025. (Amel Kharchenko KNN) 
The Sylmar Fire is seen in Los Angeles County on Tuesday night. January 2025. (Amel Kharchenko KNN)
The National Weather Service reported that the Hurst/Sylmar Fire conditions included 20-25% humidity and north-northeast wind gusting 35 to 50 mph.
“50 to 70 mph along the ridgetops just north of the fire,” the weather service added.
Tamarack Fire
In addition, a separate brush fire broke out in the Sun Valley area along the 5 Freeway near Lankershim Boulevard.
Referred to as the Tamarack Fire, the California Highway Patrol incident report log shows officials shut down the 5 Freeway as crews moved in to work on the flames.
According to Watch Duty, the fire grew to a half-acre at 10:38 p.m. and was knocked down at 12:30 a.m. with crews remaining at this scene for overhaul.
