A fast-growing brush fire forced evacuation orders in the Los Angeles County community of Castaic on Wednesday, officials said. The blaze, which officials named the Hughes Fire, was first reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. along Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic Lake and the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.

Thousands evacuated as firefighters battled a fast-moving blaze that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued to more than 31,000 people in the vicinity of two new wildfires north of Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The Hughes Fire near Castaic, California, has burned 10,176 acres, prompting evacuations and school closures across SoCal. Follow Newsweek's live blog.