A fast-moving, 10,000-acre fire burned Wednesday near Lake Hughes in northern Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was alerted to the fire at North Lake Hughes Road and Pine Canyon Road about 3:30 p.m., according to Marvin Lim, a spokesman for the department.
The fire was on confirmation of 0% since around 6.30pm Several residential structures, including farms, are threatened.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department has announced mandatory evacuations for residents in the Lake Hughes Road area, including those living west of Pine Canyon Road and south of Dry Gulch Road.
An evacuation point was opened at Highland High School in west Palmdale where residents can stay in their cars. Animals may be brought to the Castaic Animal Care Center, the Lancaster Animal Care Center and the Palmdale Animal Care Center. Only large animals will be accepted at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.
Deputy Juanita Navarro, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Department, said Pine Canyon Road on Highway 138 is closed, as is the area west of Pine Canyon Road on Lake Hughes Road.
Lim said more than 300 firefighters, such as several helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, were deployed at the scene.
“It’s a fast-moving fire,” he said. “There’s a lot of vegetation in the area, and it’s moving in a northeasterly direction.”
The smoke from the fire could be seen as far away as Venice.
The combination of thick vegetation that has not burned for decades and hot and dry windy conditions add to the fire, according to Seneca Smith, a public information officer with the Angeles National Forest. She said she will continue to grow overnight.
The cause of the fire is not known.
