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Photo by Sharon Northrup / LA Post
A fast-moving brush fire raced across thousands of acres of thick vegetation near Castaic Lake Wednesday, forcing mandatory evacuations in the lake area and into the heart of Castaic, with warnings stretching toward Santa Clarita and reaching the Ventura County line.
The Hughes Fire was reported at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in a remote area east of the lake, according to Cal Fire. Aided by gusting Santa Ana winds and thick, dry vegetation, the fire quickly gobbled up 500 acres of brush, but within a few hours, it had reached 8,096 acres.
The winds and dry terrain led to rampant spotting of the fire, allowing it to jump roadways and continue expanding.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for a wide area enveloping Castaic Lake, including the heart of Castaic. An even wider area fell under evacuation warnings as the fire quickly spread.
Multiple road closures were ordered in the area, 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.
The Golden State (5) Freeway remained open, although the California Highway Patrol warned motorists to be cautious due to heavy smoke. Some freeway ramps were closed at Parker Road and Lake Hughes Road.
More than a dozen water- and retardant-dropping aircraft were on the scene, including the county's two leased Super Scooper fixed-wing planes.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest were attacking the blaze.
It was unclear what sparked the fire, which occurred during persistent red flag fire conditions. There were no immediate reports of any injuries.
Northlake Hills Elementary School just west of Castaic Lake was evacuated, with students taken to the Castaic Sports Complex. All students from Castaic Middle and Elementary schools were taken to the Ralphs parking lot at Hasley Canyon, where parents were able to retrieve their children. Castaic High School was also evacuated.
A temporary evacuation center for people displaced by the fire was established at Hart High School.
Small animals can be taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Highway. Small and large animals can be taken to Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Avenue I.
