Hughes Fire erupts in Castaic area, burns more than 5,000 acres amid evacuation orders: WATCH LIVE
CASTAIC, Calif. (KABC) -- A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday morning in the Castaic area, quickly spreading to more than 5,000 acres as it burned out of control near the 5 Freeway, officials said.
Fire crews from Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest responded to the so-called Hughes Fire after it broke out shortly after 10:30 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road.
Evacuation orders and warnings were issued shortly afterward, according to official maps on the Cal Fire and Genasys websites.
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.
No injuries were reported and no structures were immediately threatened in the mostly rural and mountainous burn zone.
Despite firefighters' efforts, the fire crossed Lake Hughes Road. Evacuations were in effect in the Castaic Lake area and warnings in remote canyon areas near Castaic, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The lake was acting as a firebreak of sorts as it stopped part of the fire line from advancing toward the freeway.
Massive columns of smoke were rising above the burn area and were visible for miles.
Multiple helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including four 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 1 p.m., but the likelihood that lanes would be shut down was increasing as the fire burned near the interstate.
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.
Although the fire was outside the Los Angeles city limits, officials said four LAFD strike teams comprised of 20 fire engines were en route to assist in the firefight. Two dozer teams and additional command staff were also headed to the scene, the LAFD said.
The Ventura County Fire Department said it has strategically pre-positioned strike teams and other resources along the Highway 126 corridor to ensure a swift response to any possible impacts to Ventura County.
Santa Clarita's College of the Canyons was closed as a precaution, and three Castaic schools were evacuated: Northlake Hills Elementary School, Castaic Elementary School, and Castaic Middle School. An evacuation center for people displaced by the Hughes Fire was established at Valencia High School, 27801 Dickson Drive.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
Meanwhile, red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended through 8 p.m. Thursday 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%.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
