The fast-burning Hughes Fire prompted evacuations on Wednesday morning after it was reporting burning near Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County. (Source: KTTV)
A fast-moving brush fire erupted in Los Angeles County on Wednesday morning, quickly racing across 1,000 acres of terrain, aided by heavy, dry fuels and pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds.
A large brush fire that erupted near Interstate 5 in Castaic has burned more than 9,000 acres, causing several evacuation orders and warnings Wednesday morning.
Strong winds are lingering across SoCal, creating dangerous fire conditions. But with rain looming, there's a threat of landslides for burn zones. Eyewitness News has live updates with the latest forecast and urgent preparations.
A fast-moving brush fire raced across thousands of acres of thick vegetation near Castaic Lake today, forcing mandatory evacuations in the lake area and into the heart of Castaic, with warnings stretching toward Santa Clarita and reaching the Ventura County line.
Amid an extended red flag warning, a new fire exploded north of Castaic. Evacuations were ordered after 11 a.m. Wind gusts reached 31 mph Wednesday afternoon in the area and are expected to increase over the next several hours.
The Hughes Fire was first reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. along Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic Lake and the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.
Residents south and west of Lake Castaic scrambled to flee the path of the Hughes Fire, which had scorched over 5,000 acres in less than three hours on Wednesday. The blaze was first reported shortly before 11 a.
The Hughes Fire near Castaic, California, has burned over 5,000 acres, prompting evacuations and school closures.
A brush fire ignited near Castaic Lake amid windy and dry conditions Wednesday afternoon, forcing evacuations in the area as the blaze quickly grows.
Crews are battling the Hughes Fire, and those in the immediate area of Castaic Lake are under mandatory evacuation orders and warnings, according to the LA County Fire Department.