Hughes Fire: New fire erupts to over 3,400 acres in northern LA amid strong Strong Santa Ana winds in Southern California [Video]

LOS ANGELES — A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area in the northern region of Los Angeles County, spreading quickly to more than 5,000 acres, officials said.

Fire crews from Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest were responding to the so-called Hughes Fire after it broke out about 11 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road.

Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings have been issued due to the fast-moving fires.

As of 12:45 p.m., an estimated 19,000 people live in the mandatory evacuation zones, according to a data analysis. Another 16,000 residents were under evacuations warnings.

CAL FIRE’s map shows the evacuation zones. Select Hughes Fire to zoom into the fire area.

Several schools were forced to evacuate and close due to the fire, including Northlake Hills Elementary School, Castaic Elementary School, and Castaic Middle School.

The College of the Canyons also closed for the day out of …