A fast-moving brush fire erupted Wednesday morning in the Castaic area of northern Los Angeles County, fueled by powerful winds. Dubbed the Hughes Fire, it has scorched 10,176 acres as of late evening and is 14% contained, according to fire officials.
The blaze began around 10:30 a.m. near Lake Hughes Road, prompting a multi-agency response from Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Angeles National Forest.
Mandatory evacuation orders have displaced approximately 31,000 residents, with another 23,000 under evacuation warnings. Authorities have reported structural damage in some areas, though specific details are yet to be confirmed.
Interstate 5 was temporarily closed due to heavy smoke blanketing the roadway, causing significant disruptions. The California Highway Patrol announced plans to reopen the freeway following a late evening press conference.
CAL FIRE has issued evacuation maps to guide residents, highlighting areas most at risk. The agency urged those in evacuation zones to leave promptly, emphasizing safety as their top priority.
Firefighters continue to battle the blaze under challenging conditions, with containment efforts ongoing. Updates on the fire and evacuation zones are available through CAL FIRE’s website.
