Hughes Fire Affects Castaic Lake Area in LA, Smoke Visible from Six Flags Park
The newly ignited Southern California wildfire known as the Hughes Fire has sparked evacuation orders and advisories for residents near Castaic Lake, situated northwest of Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, the Hughes Fire has scorched over 9,000 acres in the vicinity of Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County, contributing to a severe outbreak of wildfires across Southern California, driven by dry brush and strong Santa Ana winds.
Authorities were alerted to the brush fire shortly before 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday, and it has since quickly spread northwest of Santa Clarita and downtown Los Angeles. Mandatory evacuation orders, along with warnings for nearby areas, have been issued for those living around Castaic Lake.
The fire escalated rapidly, consuming 500 acres within just over an hour and reaching 3,400 acres by 12:30 p.m. local time. As of 6 p.m. PT, the Hughes Fire has expanded to at least 9,269 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Students at local Castaic schools have been relocated to nearby sites as they wait for their parents to pick them up.
Governor Gavin Newsom stated that state resources are being utilized to respond to the Hughes Fire in the Angeles National Forest.
“We will keep a close eye on the situation and provide the federal government with any necessary support to put out this fire,” he noted.
This story has been updated to include additional information.
