Hughes Fire in Castaic prompts evacuations, school closures

Nearly 56,000 residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties were under evacuation orders and warnings after the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area north of Santa Clarita exploded to over 10,000 acres. 

The fire was first reported just before 10:55 a.m. on Lake Hughes Road near Castaic. Within the initial hours of the firefight, the fire grew from 50 to 500 acres before reaching its current size of more than 10,000 acres. As of Thursday morning, the fire was 24% contained. 

In addition, critical fire weather remains a factor in the forecast with dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds. The National Weather Service extended red flag warnings in the area for most of the Southland through Friday, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. 

Follow FOX 11's live blog with the latest updates provided in the timeline below:

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Evacuations scaled back, containment grows again 

6:30 p.m.: While evacuation orders remain in place for areas around the immediate perimeter of the fire, other nearby neighborhoods were reduced from evacuation orders to warnings, while warnings were lifted in most other areas, including in the bulk of the Castaic community itself.

Containment and acreage also grew by Thursday evening. It now stands at 10,396 acres and is 36% contained. 

Fire spreads, containment grows

12:45 p.m.: The Hughes Fire has burned approximately 10,278 acres and is now 24% contained, according to the Angeles National Forest.

More evacuation orders, warnings downgraded

11:45 a.m.: Eight zones were downgraded from evacuation orders to warnings:

  • CAS-PARADISERANCH
  • CAS-BISCAILUZ
  • CAS-RIDGE
  • LAC-E029
  • LAC-FRANCISQUITO
  • SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
  • SCL-REYESADOBE
  • SCL-STERLING
  • SCL-TESORODELVALLE

Evacuation warnings have been lifted and have returned to a normal status for the following fire zones:

  • CAS-CAMBRIDGE
  • CAS-GOLDENSTATE
  • CAS-GREENHILL
  • CAS-HASLEY
  • CAS-HILLCREST
  • CAS-INDUSTRY
  • CAS-LIVEOAK
  • CAS-OAKCANYON
  • CAS-ROMERO
  • CAS-SLOAN
  • CAS-VALVERDE
  • GOR-E004
  • GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY
  • LAC-E005
  • LAC-E009-B
  • LAC-E011-A
  • LAC-E017
  • LAC-E018
  • LAC-E030
  • SCL-BLACKPINE
  • SCL-CALEX
  • SCL-DECORO
  • SCL-MOUNTAINVIEW
  • SCL-PACIFICCREST
  • SCL-RANCHOTESORO
  • SCL-RIONORTE
  • SCL-RYE
  • SCL-WESTHILLS

School closures update: Castaic Union School District

11:30 a.m.: District officials said they would make the call on school closures for Friday, Dec. 24 by 3 p.m.

Mandatory evacuation order lifted in Northlake community

10:45 a.m.: One of the areas that went from an evacuation order to a warning was the Northlake community in Santa Clarita. Residents are asked to remain on high alert. "When we have a warning, that means we still need to have a bag packed ready to go because the winds can shift and something could change in a moment's notice," said Jeremy Ruiz, engineer with the Kern County FIre Department.

Evacuation orders and warnings

10 a.m.: Evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The fire zones are listed below.

Evacuation orders

  • LAC-E008
  • CAS-CASTAICLAKE
  • CAS-BITTERCANYON
  • LAC-E016
  • CAS-CHARLIECANYON

Evacuation warnings

  • CAS-BISCAILUZ
  • SCL-KELLYJOHNSON
  • SCL-RANCHOTESORO
  • CAS-RIDGE
  • SCL-STERLING
  • SCL-TESORODELVALLE
  • LAC-FRANCISQUITO
  • LAC-E029
  • CAS-PARADISERANCH

Evacuation Centers

9 a.m.: Two evacuation centers have opened for those impacted by the Hughes Fire.

  • College of the Canyons: 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA, 91355
  • Hart High School: 24825 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA, 91321

Fire crews aim to gain upper hand against Hughes Fire

8:02 a.m.: FOX 11's Mario Ramiez reported from Castaic where deputies were turning residents away.

Road Closures  

7:30 a.m.: The Grapevine section of the 5 Freeway has reopened.

The following road closures remain in effect:

  • The northbound 5 Freeway to Parker Road off-ramp
  • The northbound 5 Freeway to Lake Hughes Road off-ramp
  • Parker Road/Ridge Road eastbound from The Old Road
  • Lake Hughes Road eastbound from The Old Road

School Closures

6:00 a.m. Some schools are closed in the Santa Clarita Valley on Thursday. See a full list of school closures below: 

  • Castaic High School
  • Valencia High School
  • Rio Norte Junior High School
  • Academy of the Canyons
  • All schools within the Castaic Union School District
  • Select schools in the Saugus Unified School District: West Creek Academy, Tesoro del Valley Elementary, Mountainview Elementary, as well as the district office.

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