Lake Hughes Fire Near Santa Clarita Scorches 10,500 Acres

LAKE HUGHES, CA — The brush fire burning near Lake Hughes in northern Los Angeles County grew about 500 acres overnight to 10,500 acres, Angeles National Forest reported Thursday morning.

The fire remains at zero percent containment. A thick, dark smoke cloud hung low above the fire and surrounding areas Thursday, impacting air quality for residents.

The Lake Fire ballooned to 10,000 acres within about four hours of its ignition Wednesday afternoon thanks to high temperatures and dry brush, quickly prompting evacuations for some 500 people near Lake Hughes and Pine Canyon.

The wildfire was reported southwest of Lake Hughes, which is located just north of the Santa Clarita Valley and west of Lancaster. Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest firefighters are in the area of Lake Hughes Road and Prospect Road.

Dozens of engines and firefighting resources were on scene, including a few helicopters. More than 500 firefighters were assigned to the Lake Fire, L.A. County Fire said in an update at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Read: Lake Hughes Fire Balloons To 10K Acres; Hundreds Evacuate

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Evacuation Centers

• Highland High School: 39055 25th St., West Palmdale
• Castaic Sports Complex: 31230 Castaic Road, Castaic

Road Closures

• San Francisquito Canyon Road from Slater Lane to Spunky Canyon
• 3 Points Road, from Highway 138 to Pine Canyon
• Old Ridge Route, from Highway 138 to Pine Canyon
• Lake Hughes, from Ridge Route Road to Pine Canyon

Animal Evacuation

Small Animals:

• Lancaster Animal Care Center: 5210 W. Ave. I., Lancaster
• Palmdale Animal Care Center: 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale
• Castaic Animal Care Center: 31044 Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic

Large Animals:

• Antelope Valley Fairgrounds: 1326 W. Ave. N, Palmdale
• Castaic Animal Care Center: 31044 Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic

I have never seen anything like this. The #LakeFire is moving fast toward Lake Hughes. It created a fire tornado on this hill and it’s sucking everything inside. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/PwzepwKHKp
— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) August 13, 2020

|Update| The #LakeFire has grown to 10,000 acres and is 0% contained. pic.twitter.com/gNuygunYX4
— Angeles_NF (@Angeles_NF) August 13, 2020

BRUSH FIRE 8/12/20 @LACoFireAirOps Firehawk helicopters assisting @Angeles_NF with the #LakeFire off Lake Hughes Road north of Warm Springs. pic.twitter.com/IN9Ce833Uq
— LACoFireAirOps (@LACoFireAirOps) August 12, 2020

The Lake Fire is burning in this area, according to Cal Fire:

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.