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Update: Six Flags Magic Mountain Shuts Down as Fires Devastate Southern California

Six Flags Magic Mountain has quietly announced its closure amid the ongoing devastation caused by wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles.

The Hughes Fire, which began yesterday morning near Castaic, has rapidly grown to over 10,000 acres, with containment currently at 14%. The blaze has prompted further evacuations, adding to an already grim toll in Southern California.

View of the Hughes fire out near Castaic from Universal Studios Hollywood. Just unbelievable to see how fast this fire grew in just a matter of hours.

https://twitter.com/cristalandcris/status/1882248922032410741

Since fires began breaking out on January 7, at least 27 people have died, over 200,000 have been displaced, and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed.

The conditions fueling these fires—strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity, and prolonged dryness—have forced many iconic attractions in the region to close. Universal Studios Hollywood shut its doors for two days, while Warner Bros. Studio Tour, the Griffith Observatory, and the Los Angeles Zoo also temporarily ceased operations.

The entrance of Universal Studios Hollywood, featuring a rotating globe surrounded by a metal structure with the park's name, as visitors walk towards the entrance.
Credit: Shad Islam, Unsplash

Even Disneyland Resort, which remains physically unaffected in Anaheim, has seen cast members impacted, with some displaced employees being offered sanctuary at the Disneyland Hotel.

Six Flags Magic Mountain, located in Valencia, briefly closed earlier this month on January 8 and will now close again on January 24. The exact cause of this closure remains uncertain. Some reports attribute it to the Hughes Fire’s proximity, which has closed freeways near the park, while others point to planned power outages by Edison.

Guests riding Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Credit: Six Flags

Images shared by nearby residents reveal thick smoke enveloping the park, with some capturing footage of flames inching closer. Firefighters are reportedly using the theme park as a base of operations, while the park itself remains just outside the evacuation warning zone, which ends near Feedmill Road.

However, worsening conditions are a possibility, with stronger winds forecasted for the Santa Clarita Valley in the coming days.

Scenes from Six Flags Magic Mountain as the #HughesFire scorch over 9,000 within just hours. A Red Flag Warning remains in place until rain arrives on Saturday. Stronger winds are on the forecast for Santa Clarita Valley on Thursday. Please take evacuation orders seriously. #CAwx


Six Flags Magic Mountain, owned by Six Flags since 1979, is home to well-known rides like Batman: The Ride, Goliath, and Superman: Escape from Krypton. It has faced fire-related challenges before, including a 2014 blaze that damaged its wooden roller coaster, Colossus. The ride was eventually reimagined and reopened as Twisted Colossus in 2015.

The Hughes Fire serves as a stark reminder of the escalating wildfire crisis in California. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders as firefighters continue to battle the flames.

Have you been affected by the Los Angeles fires?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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