A new fire exploded Wednesday north of Castaic, quickly charring 8,000 acres and forcing thousands to flee from their homes amid a month of extreme fire conditions that have plagued Southern ...

Named the Hughes fire, the blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 Freeway and close to Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire.