Fast-moving Hughes Fire erupts in Castaic, prompting evacuations

This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information on the fire, check:

The Hughes Fire, which broke out Wednesday near Castaic Lake, quickly grew to more than 5,000 acres, prompting road closures and evacuation orders.

Castaic High School, which has about 1,330 students, has been evacuated with students released to parents or moved to West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch.

Castaic Union District Clerk Renee Stewart told LAist that all schools have been evacuated, meaning about 2,000 students per day. California Schools Dashboard.

The evacuated schools are:

• Castaic Folk School
• Castaic Middle School
• Live Oak Elementary School
• Northlake Hills Elementary

Northlake Hills Elementary students went to Castaic Sports Complex
while students who have not been picked up by their parents from other schools are in Ralph’s parking lot at the intersection of Old Road and Halsey Canyon Road.

Einer Rivera, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, told LAist that 476 people from the Pitchess Detention Center have been evacuated to the North County Correctional Facility.

Evacuation warnings are also in place for several neighboring areas.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind warning until 22 Wednesday, and high wind warnings are in effect from overnight until 14 Thursday. The NWS also extended a red flag warning for the area until Friday at 6 p.m. 10:00 a.m.

The basics

• Area: 5,054 acres late Wednesday morning
• Containment: 0%
• Structures destroyed: None reported
• Deaths: died: No
• Injuries: No
• Personnel working on fire: Unknown

Evacuation cards and orders

Evacuation orders have been issued by the Los Angeles County Fire Department for the following areas:

• CAS-CASTAICLAQUE
• CAS RIDGE
• CAS PARADISE RANCH
• CAS-CAMBRIDGE
• CAS-GREENHILL
• CAS-HASLEY
• CAS-HILLCREST
• CAS RIDGE
• CAS-ROMERO
• CAS-SLOAN
• LAC-E008
• LAC-E029
• LAC-FRANCISQUITO
• SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
• SCL-REYESADOBE
• SCL STERLING
• SCL-TESORODELVALLE
• Ventura County Zone 1

Evacuation warnings

Authorities say those who need additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately. (These areas are shown on the map above.)

• CAS-BISCAILUZ
• CAS INDUSTRY
• CAS-LIVE OAK
• CAS-OAKCANYON
• CAS-VALVERDE
• GOR-E004
• GOR-HUNGRY VALLEY
• LAC-E005
• LAC-E009-B
• LAC-E011-A
• LAC-E011-B
• LAC-E016
• LAC-E018
• LAC-E029
• LAC-E030
• LAC-FRANCISQUITO
• SCL-BLACKPINE
• SCL-CALEX
• SCL-DECORO
• SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
• SCL MOUNTAINVIEW
• SCL-PACIFIC CREST
• SCL-RANCHOTESORO
• SCL-REYESABODE
• SCL RIONORTE
• SCL STERLING
• SCL-WESTHILLS
• SCL-RYE.

Evacuation centers

• Valencia High School, 27801 Dickson Dr., Valencia
• For small animals:
  • Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Hwy., Palmdale
  • Aguora Animal Care Center, 29525 Agoura Rd., Agoura Hills
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Ave. I, Lancaster
• For large animals:
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Ave. I, Lancaster
  • Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills

Roadblocks

• Ridge Route Road at Lake Hughes Road
• Ridge Route Road at Templin Highway
• Lake Hughes Road at Pine Canyon Road
• Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Canyon Road
• The exits from I-5 northbound at Parker Road and Lake Hughes Road

Caltrans announced that all northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway are closed north of State Route 126. Motorists can use State Route 14 instead. Drivers are asked to avoid the area and expect heavy traffic on State Route 126 and 101.

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Brand resources and tips

If you need to evacuate:

Navigating fire conditions:

How to help yourself and others:

To start the restore process:

What to do for your children:

Prepare for the next disaster: