New California fire rapidly scorches 5,000 acres and forces thousands to evacuate

A new inferno has ignited in Southern   California   and quickly burned 5,000 acres and causes thousands of residents to evacuate from their...

A new inferno has ignited in Southern California and quickly burned 5,000 acres and causes thousands of residents to evacuate from their homes.

The Hughes Fire erupted near Lake Hughes Road just north of Castaic shortly before 11am on Wednesday. It quickly moved west toward the Interstate 5 highway and north to the area below Sanberg.

More than 19,000 people are under evacuation orders and 14,000 under evacuation warnings.

The fire grew from 50 acres to one hundred times that in less than two hours, stated the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Smoke and flames rise as firefighters and aircraft battle the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake, north of Santa Clarita, California (Picture: Reuters)

Like the Palisades and Eaton fires that are the most destructive in Los Angeles County’s history, the Hughes Fire was fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds.

There have not been any injuries reported.

The blaze is burning in a mountainous area and not in close proximity to residential or commercial areas.

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