The Hughes Fire, reported shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday near Castaic Lake, prompted evacuation of a 280-square-mile area north of Los Angeles. The map above shows the mandatory evacuation area in red and the approximate perimeter as a black line.

Firefighters from Cal Fire, Shasta Lake and Mountain Gate fire departments are working the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Jessica Skropanic is a feature

The Hughes fire seen from Magic Mountain has started north of Castaic and has exploded to more than 5,000 acres in under two hours on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Castaic, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS) (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

The Palisades and Eaton wildfires also continue burning in the Los Angeles area, leaving parts of Southern California with devastating fire damage.

The Hughes Fire in Castaic, north of Los Angeles, prompted evacuations and shut down a vital part of California's freeway system.

Less than a week after a massive wildfire shut down California's Interstate 5, the traffic artery was closed again due to heavy snow, authorities said.

According to the National Weather Service, periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected through Monday afternoon and could trigger flash flooding and mudslides in fire zones.

The Red Cross has set up a temporary evacuation shelter at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon. Christine Welch, regional communications director for the Red Cross, said 31 people and 12 pets stayed at the shelter overnight Friday and 68 people slept in RVs in the parking lot.

The fire shut down roads to through traffic near the burn area and closed recreation areas in Chula Vista due to poor air quality

A large brush fire that erupted near Interstate 5 in Castaic has burned more than 10,000 acres, causing several evacuation orders and warnings Wednesday morning

Much of Southern California is expected to get doused with desperately needed rainfall this weekend – but this could unleash new hazards.

The Gilman Fire broke out in the La Jolla neighborhood today, while a brush fire at the border with Mexico, has engulfed 20 acres. Follow Newsweek's live blog.