Fast-spreading Hughes fire forces evacuations across LA county
Fox News correspondent Christina Coleman reports on California's latest inferno from Los Angeles County on 'Special Report.'
A sprawling wildfire recently erupted in Los Angeles County on Wednesday, prompting evacuation orders impacting tens of thousands of California residents.
The Hughes Fire, which was first reported on Wednesday morning, was first located in the unincorporated community of Castaic in northwestern Los Angeles County.
As of 11 p.m. local time, the fire was 14% contained and had burned over 10,000 acres, with zero structures damaged or destroyed, according to the incident report. More than 4,000 fire personnel are assigned to Hughes Fire.
"The weather is what is predominantly driving this fire and its spread right now. A red flag warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Friday," Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said. "It remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand."
Over 50,000 people have been affected either by evacuation orders or warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Parts of Interstate 5 were closed, but reopened late Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, Cal Fire urged residents in several regions near the Hughes Fire to leave immediately, including the vicinity of Castaic Lake, Paradise Ranch and the Ridge Route.
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A vehicle rides past a hillside engulfed in flames caused by the Hughes Fire in Castaic, Calif., Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
"Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW," the Cal Fire alert reads. "The area is lawfully closed to public access."
Residents east of Lake Piru in neighboring Ventura County were also ordered to evacuate, along with students and teachers at Castaic High School, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
Aerials show smoke billowing near Castaic Lake, a reservoir in the Sierra Pelona Mountains.
There have also been reports of a fire in the Sepulveda Pass near Sherman Oaks. The fire was initially reported as one acre, but since the Los Angeles Fire Department has reported, LAFD reports all forward progress stopped with the fire held at approximately 40 acres.
"The Evacuation Warning is LIFTED. There are no structures damaged and no injuries reported. Firefighters will remain on scene through the night conducting mop up operations to ensure no hot spots remain. Traffic on the 405 Freeway will likely remain impacted as crews and apparatus work alongside the freeway," the notice stated.
Mayor Karen Bass says that although the fire is being addressed, all Angelenos should heed the warnings from public safety officials.
"Air support and other aggressive actions have been deployed to fight a new fire just east of the 405," she posted to X. "To all Angelenos in the area, follow guidance from public safety officials to stay safe."
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Andrew Aguilar sprays water from the top of the roof at his brother's home Castaic, Calif., as a large plume of smoke caused by the Hughes Fire rises from Castaic Lake on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Hughes Fire burns north of Los Angeles on Wednesday near Castaic, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The new fires come amid a deadly wildfire season in the Golden State, as firefighters have battled destructive Southern California blazes for weeks.
The Pacific Palisades fire, which began on Jan. 7, is still burning and has claimed at least 11 lives and over 6,500 structures.
Other residents near the Hughes Fire, such as those living in the vicinity of Oak Canyon or Hungry Valley, are warned to evacuate but not ordered to do so.
Residents are encouraged to visit the Cal Fire website to determine whether they need to evacuate.
A fire truck drives past flames caused by the Hughes Fire in Castaic, Calif., Wednesday.? (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
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Fox News Digital reached out to Castaic Unified School District for additional information.
Fox News Digital's Sophia Compton and Alex Koch contributed to this report.
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