A new fast-growing wildfire has broken out in Los Angeles County, prompting evacuations in a region already reeling from the most destructive wildfires in its history.
The Hughes fire burned north of the city Wednesday afternoon near Castaic Lake in a mountainous area that borders several residential areas and schools.
The out-of-control fire grew to more than 5,000 acres in just two hours, fanned by strong winds. No homes or businesses were damaged.
The new fire is burning to the north of the two massive fires — which are still burning — that destroyed multiple neighborhoods in Los Angeles County earlier this month.
Two other fires were burning to the south near San Diego and Oceanside, officials said.
Both are smaller — 85 acres for the Lilac fire near Oceanside and 3.9 acres for the Bernardo fire — but they burned in populated areas. Fire crews appeared to be able to contain both fires and evacuation orders were mostly lifted and forward progress halted.
In Los Angeles County, local news showed people near the Hughes fire dousing their homes and yards with water and others rushing to evacuate neighborhoods.
Orange flames lined the mountains like the plane dropped water and flame retardant.
The region is again under a red flag warning warning of high fire risk due to strong winds and dry conditions with low humidity.
Winds in the area are around 20 to 30 mph, but are forecast to pick up during the day, which could allow the fire to grow and make it difficult for air crews to continue their battle from above.
One woman who evacuated her home told NBC 4 she was stuck on Interstate 5, a major highway that cuts through the area and runs north and south through California.
“It looked like a cloud, but when you got closer it looked like we were driving into hell,” she said of the dark smoke and red flames she saw. “It was pretty terrifying to be honest with you.”
She admitted she was on edge after watching the Palisades and Eaton fires burn nearby, killing at least 28 people and destroying more than 10,000 homes and businesses.
“I don't know why they keep popping up,” she said. “It's definitely a scary time in this area.”