LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – Nearly 56,000 residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties were under evacuation orders and warnings after the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area north of Santa Clarita exploded to over 10,000 acres.
The fire was first reported just before 10:55 a.m. on Lake Hughes Road near Castaic. Within the initial hours of the firefight, the fire grew from 50 to 500 acres before reaching its current size of 10,176 acres. As of Thursday morning, the fire was 14% contained.
In addition, critical fire weather remains a factor in the forecast with dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds. The national Weather Service extended red flag warnings in the area for most of the Southland through Friday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.
Follow FOX 11’s live blog with the latest updates provided in the timeline below:
Evacuation orders and warnings
10 a.m.: Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The fire zones are listed below.
Evacuation orders
- LAC-E008
- CAS-CASTAICLAKE
- CAS-BITTERCANYON
- LAC-E016
- CAS-CHARLIECANYON
Evacuation warnings
- CAS-BISCAILUZ
- SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
- SCL-RANCHOTESORO
- CAS-RIDGE
- SCL-STERLING
- SCL-TESORODELVALLE
- LAC-FRANCISQUITO
- LAC-E029
- CAS-PARADISERANCH
Evacuation Centers
9 a.m.: Two evacuation centers have opened for those impacted by the Hughes Fire.
- College of the Canyons: 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA, 91355
- Hart High School: 24825 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA, 91321
Hughes Fire evacuation centers
Those impacted by the Hughes Fire can head to the College of the Canyons or Hart High School.
Fire crews aim to gain upper hand against Hughes Fire
8:02 a.m.: FOX 11’s Mario Ramiez reported from Castaic where deputies were turning residents away.
Hughes Fire: Crews fight to gain upper hand
Crews were working to gain the upper hand on the Hughes Fires that broke out in Castaic. Many evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.
Road Closures
7:30 a.m.: The Grapevine section of the 5 Freeway has reopened.
The following road closures remain in effect:
- The northbound 5 Freeway to Parker Road off-ramp
- The northbound 5 Freeway to Lake Hughes Road off-ramp
- Parker Road/Ridge Road eastbound from The Old Road
- Lake Hughes Road Road eastbound from The Old Road
Hughes Fire evacuation centers
Those impacted by the Hughes Fire can head to the College of the Canyons or Hart High School.
School Closures
6:00 a.m. Some schools are closed in the Santa Clarita Valley on Thursday. See a full list of school closures below:
- Castaic High School
- Valencia High School
- Rio Norte Junior High School
- Academy of the Canyons
- All schools within the Castaic Union School District
- Select schools in the Saugus Unified School District: West Creek Academy, Tesoro del Valley Elementary, Mountainview Elementary, as well as the district office.
Quick Resources
This article was originally published by a www.foxla.com . Read the Original article here. .