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

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.

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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.

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Offramps along Interstate 5, a major north-south artery, were closed as flames raced along hilltops and down into rugged canyons.

Officials issued evacuation orders in and around the Castaic Lake area. Evacuation warnings border Santa Clarita, one residential area closest to the fire.