The Hughes Fire in Castaic, north of Los Angeles, prompted evacuations and shut down a vital part of California's freeway system.

The Hughes Fire, reported shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday near Castaic Lake, prompted evacuation of a 280-square-mile area north of Los Angeles. The map above shows the mandatory evacuation area in red and the approximate perimeter as a black line.

The Hughes fire seen from Magic Mountain has started north of Castaic and has exploded to more than 5,000 acres in under two hours on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Castaic, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS) (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Firefighters from Cal Fire, Shasta Lake and Mountain Gate fire departments are working the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Jessica Skropanic is a feature

A new wildfire that broke out north of Los Angeles rapidly spread to more than 32 square kilometres, fuelled by strong winds and dry brush, forcing mandatory evacuation orders for more than 19 000 people.

The Hughes Fire, near the Castaic Lake area, spread to more than 10,000 acres as the smaller Sepulveda Fire broke out along Interstate 405.

Coverage of the firefighters' battle against Eaton and Palisades fires, including stories about the dangerous weather and victim frustration.

Interstate 5 has been closed down temporarily because of the Hughes Fire. Authorities hurried to the site in Los Angeles and tried to control the fire.

The Hughes Fire has now burned 8,096 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties since igniting late Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire. More than 24,00 people have been ordered to evacuate due to the Hughes Fire. Another 30,000 people are in evacuation warning zones.

One witness described the scene as looking like "you were driving into hell", as authorities say just 14 percent of the Hughes Fire has been contained.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Winds picked up on Tuesday in Southern California and at least a couple of new wildfires broke out as firefighters remained on alert in extreme fire weather two weeks after two major blazes started that are still burning in the Los Angeles area.

A fire that broke out Friday evening north of Redding destroyed a home in the small community of Mountain Gate and one person was injured.