A new fire in Southern California has exploded from 500 acres to more than 9,000 in just a few hours, prompting new evacuation orders for an area already reeling from blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes. The Hughes Fire grew rapidly near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of the city of Los Angeles after it broke out at around 10:30 am PST on Wednesday.

The new fire is located north of the two mammoth blazes - which are still burning - that destroyed multiple neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area earlier this month. Winds in the area were blowing around 20 to 30mph (32 to 48km) but could pick up, which would fan the blaze and make it harder for air crews to operate. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said he believed crews were making progress."The situation remains dynamic, and the fire remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand," he said.

A section of Interstate 5 that stretches through a mountain pass north of Castaic Lake that was closed Wednesday later reopened in both directions, the California Highway Patrol said on X. The agency added that off-ramps to Parker Road and Lake Hughes Road, both on I-5 North, remain closed. Experts have pointed to the link between climate change and the conditions that make fires like those that have roared across Los Angeles in recent weeks more likely.

The Palisades Fire was sparked hours earlier in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The blaze had scorched more than 23,400 acres and was 70% contained, according to CalFire.The cause of both fires remained under investigation, according to the agency. As the day's progress, authorities are urging for continued cooperation and patience as they fight to contain the fire. The full scope of damage will likely become clearer once the blaze is under control, but for now, safety remains the number one priority in Los Angeles County.