The Hughes fire, which broke out north of Santa Clarita earlier Wednesday, has scorched more than 5,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 5,054 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.

Firefighters are responding to a brush fire in the Castaic area of Los Angeles County Wednesday morning, according to the Angeles National Forest.

The Hughes Fire in northern Los Angeles County near Santa Clarita has led to mandatory evacuation notices for I-5

Firefighters continue to battle multiple wildfires in Southern California as the return of strong Santa Ana winds and critical fire weather conditions have fueled new blazes in the drought-stricken region.

Officials ordered evacuations in the area surrounding the Hughes Fire on Wednesday morning, located near Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County.

As wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles, three fires broke out in San Diego County, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.

Nearly 20,000 people were ordered to flee an area north of Los Angeles on Wednesday after a fast-moving wildfire exploded, growing to more than 5,000 acres in a few hours, officials said.

By David Swanson CASTAIC, California (Reuters) -A rapidly growing wildfire broke out some 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, burning 5,054 acres (20 square km) while two major fires burning in the metropolitan area for more than two weeks were getting under control,

A new fast-moving wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County, triggering evacuations in a region already reeling from the most destructive fires in its history. The Hughes fire ignited north of the city on Wednesday afternoon,