A new fire exploded Wednesday north of Castaic, quickly charring 8,000 acres and forcing thousands to flee from their homes amid a month of extreme fire conditions that have plagued Southern ...

Named the Hughes fire, the blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 Freeway and close to Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire.

Tens of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders and warnings Thursday morning as firefighters continue to battle for containment on the Hughes Fire that erupted near Castaic.

Local officials and county leaders provided an update on the Hughes Fire that exploded near Castaic on Wednesday, forcing tens of thousands of evacuations and impacting traffic on the 5 Freeway.

Firefighters spray water on the Hughes Fire in Castaic, Calif., on Wednesday. Crews have made significant progress on the Hughes Fire, with about a quarter of it contained. The Associated Press ...

Credit: Reuters Ferocious flames devoured hillsides near Castaic Lake ... Credit: Reuters The Hughes Fire came as the greater Los Angeles area was on edge after two enormous fires tore through ...

The Hughes fire ignited about 45 miles northwest of the city of Los Angeles, near Castaic Lake, in a mountainous area that borders several residential areas and schools. It has grown to more than ...