A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Hughes Fire erupted in the Castaic area of Los Angeles County on Wednesday, scorching over 5,000 acres and prompting mass evacuations. Fueled by powerful winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, the fire spread rapidly, forcing the closure of several schools and threatening nearby structures. Firefighters from Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest are battling the blaze with the assistance of multiple aircraft performing water and fire retardant drops. While the 5 Freeway remains open, officials warn that it could be shut down as the fire continues to advance.
A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area in the northern region of Los Angeles County , spreading quickly to more than 5,000 acres, officials said. Fire crews from Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest were responding to the so-called Hughes Fire after it broke out about 11 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road. As of 12:45 p.m., an estimated 19,000 people live in the mandatory evacuation zones, according to a data analysis.
Another 16,000 residents were under evacuations warnings. Several schools were forced to evacuate and close due to the fire, including Northlake Hills Elementary School, Castaic Elementary School, and Castaic Middle School. 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. Footage from a U.C. San Diego camera captured the moment the rapidly growing Hughes Fire erupted near Castaic Lake. Multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including Super Scoopers, were seen performing water drops and dumping pink Phos-Chek on the flames. The 5 Freeway was shrouded in smoke but remained open to traffic as of noon, but the likelihood that lanes would be shut down was increasing as the fire moved closer to the interstate. A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area, spreading quickly to more than 500 acres near the 5 Freeway, officials said. The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued to battle the
WILDFIRE HUGHES FIRE CASTAIC LOS ANGELES COUNTY EVACUATIONS 5 FREEWAY
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