Crews are battling a fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire burning near Castaic Lake north of Santa Clarita that prompted evacuation orders and warnings on Wednesday.
The Hughes Fire broke out around 11 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road near the 5 Freeway and Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire. The fire quickly exploded from 50 acres to over 500 within an hour.
Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest are battling the blaze, which is burning in heavy fuels, creating the potential for “a rapid rate of spread,” officials said.
Fire continues to spread
1:15 p.m.: The fire has now spread to 5,054 acres with zero containment.
Gridlock traffic on the 5 Freeway
12:56 p.m.: Drivers looking to escape the flames were met with gridlocked traffic on the 5 Freeway.
