New fire burns over 10,000 acres in northern Los Angeles County amid strong winds
LOS ANGELES -- A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area in the northern region of Los Angeles County, burning out of control to 10,176, officials said. As of 10 p.m., the fire is 14% contained.
Fire crews from Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest were responding to the so-called Hughes Fire after it broke out shortly after 10:30 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road.
Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings have been issued due to the fast-moving fires.
Interstate 5 was shrouded in smoke forcing the California Highway Patrol to shut down the freeway Wednesday afternoon but was set to reopen after an evening press conference.
As of 5 p.m., an estimated 31,000 people live in the mandatory evacuation zones, according to a data analysis. Another 23,000 residents were under evacuation warnings.
At this time, there are reports of damaged or destroyed structures.
CAL FIRE's map shows the evacuation zones. Select Hughes Fire to zoom into the fire area.
Around 12:30 p.m., the Hughes Fire was burning more than 30 acres pre minute, or the equivalent of the length of 23 football fields per minute.
Several schools were forced to evacuate and close due to the fire, including Northlake Hills Elementary School, Castaic Elementary School, and Castaic Middle School.
The College of the Canyons also closed for the day out of an abundance of caution.
Hundreds of inmates were evacuated from the Pitchess Detention Center due to the Hughes Fire on Wednesday. Sheriff's officials said 476 inmates were evacuated to North County Correctional Facility for safety.
No injuries have been reported and no structures are immediately threatened in the mostly rural and mountainous burn zone.
Crews on the scene reported the fire was spotting across Lake Hughes Road and prompting evacuations in the Castaic Lake area and warnings in remote canyon areas near Castaic, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The moment the fire erupted was captured on camera from a U.C. San Diego camera.
Massive columns of smoke were rising above the burn area and were visible for miles.
Multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including Super Scoopers, were seen performing water drops and dumping pink Phos-Chek on the flames.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended through Friday morning in L.A. and Ventura counties.
The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued to battle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out Jan. 7. Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 68%, and the Eaton Fire was at 91%.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
