Photos taken of the Hughes Fire around Castaic Lake, California captured the massive blaze and cloud of smoke visible from Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The Hughes fire, burning near Castaic Lake north of Santa Clarita, exploded to more than 10,000 acres of mostly brush in just a few hours. More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings.

The Hughes Fire broke out on Wednesday, January 22, near Lake Castaic, north of Santa Clarita. The blaze rapidly spread across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, putting more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings.

Firefighters made progress on the more than 10,000-acre Hughes Fire Friday, which sent thousands fleeing after sparking near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic a day earlier.

The Hughes Fire burned more than 10,000 acres across the Castaic, forcing 55,000 residents into evacuation orders or warnings across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Thousands are under evacuation orders between Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

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

At least 28 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple wildfires rage across Southern California.

Coverage of when the Hughes fire exploded north of Castaic, the areas under evacuation orders and an extended red flag warning.

A fire north of a jail complex in Castaic has triggered evacuations in L.A. County, even as Southern California hopes for some rain to help with firefighting efforts.

The Hughes Fire was first reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. along Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic Lake and the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.

A vehicle drives by as smoke and flames rise in the back while firefighters battle the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake, north of Santa Clarita, California on Jan. 22, 2025. A huge cloud of smoke ...

The Hughes Fire broke out on Wednesday, January 22, near Lake Castaic, north of Santa Clarita. The blaze rapidly spread across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, putting more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings.