The Hughes Fire was reported at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in a remote area east of the lake, according to Cal Fire. Aided by gusting Santa Ana winds and thick, dry vegetation, the fire quickly ...

LOS ANGELES, CA — A fast-moving brush fire broke out near Castaic Lake where powerful wind gusts quickly drove the fire to more than 500 acres Wednesday morning, triggering evacuations.

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.

The blaze prompted evacuations orders for remote communities nearby as it quickly burned through hundreds of acres of trees and brush, sending up a huge plume of dark smoke near the Lake Castaic area.