Rapid Wildfire Consumes 5,000 Acres in Castaic Lake Region of Los Angeles County
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for a large area surrounding Castaic Lake, affecting several schools.
LOS ANGELES—On Wednesday, a rapidly spreading brush fire swept across thousands of acres of dense vegetation near Castaic Lake, leading to mandatory evacuations in Castaic and warnings extending towards neighboring Santa Clarita and the Ventura County line. Castaic is an unincorporated community located approximately 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
This incident follows two weeks after strong winds triggered several deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and the destruction of over 15,000 structures, including numerous homes.
The new fire, referred to as the Hughes fire, was first reported around 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the vicinity of Lake Hughes Road, close to the Golden State (5) Freeway near Castaic Lake, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Propelled by gusty Santa Ana winds and abundant dry vegetation, the blaze swiftly consumed 500 acres of brush, expanding to 5,000 acres within a mere two hours.
Mandatory evacuation orders were enacted for a broad area surrounding Castaic Lake, including the central parts of Castaic. Numerous road closures have been instituted in the region, including Ridge Route Road at Lake Hughes, Ridge Route Road at Templin Highway, Lake Hughes at Pine Canyon, and Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Canyon Road.
Although the Golden State (5) Freeway remained open, the California Highway Patrol advised drivers to exercise caution due to heavy smoke, with some freeway ramps closing at Parker Road and Lake Hughes Road.
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Over a dozen aircraft equipped for water and retardant drops have been deployed, including two leased Super Scooper fixed-wing planes from the county.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest are actively fighting the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, which broke out under ongoing red flag fire conditions, but there have been no immediate reports of injuries.
Northlake Hills Elementary School, located just west of Castaic Lake, has been evacuated, and students have been relocated from Castaic High School.
Elementary school students have been taken to the parking lot of Ralphs at Hasley Canyon for pick-up by parents, while students from Northlake Elementary School have been relocated to the Castaic Sports Complex.
An evacuation center has been set up at Valencia High School, located at 27801 Dickson Drive, for individuals displaced by the Hughes Fire.
