The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had charred nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area ...

Los Angeles: New wildfire erupts near Castaic lake, forcing 31,000, including 500 inmates to evacuate. Story by Moohita Kaur Garg • 2mo.

A cloud of smoke from the Hughes Fire rises as firefighters battle it near Castaic Lake, north of Santa Clarita, as seen from a highway nearby, California on Jan. 22, 2025.

Named the Hughes fire, the blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 Freeway and close to Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 8,096 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.

The blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the area of Lake Hughes Road near the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.