A fast-moving wildfire exploded to more than 8,000 acres near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic Wednesday morning, prompting mandatory evacuation orders and road closures, authorities said.

Rain has continued to fall across parts of Southern California, increasing the risk of toxic ash runoff in areas hit by flames.

LA County Sheriff says about 31,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders while another 23,000 were under evacuation warnings.

The Hughes Fire was first reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. along Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic Lake and the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.

Southern California ... and the department may also use Metro buses, with extra deputies to provide security. Meanwhile, as the sun began to set over Castaic Lake on Wednesday, the hills to ...

Flood watches were in effect for burn areas from recent fires that broke out around the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Altadena and Castaic Lake.

The fast moving fire has forced mandatory evacuations and is affecting traffic on the Golden State (5) Freeway.

The approximately 10,176-acre Hughes Fire burning northeast of Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County has created smoke

The Hughes fire, burning near Castaic Lake north of Santa Clarita, exploded to more than 10,000 acres of mostly brush in just a few hours. More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings.

The Hughes Fire burned more than 10,000 acres across the Castaic, forcing 55,000 residents into evacuation orders or warnings across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Thousands are under evacuation orders between Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

California Highway Patrol officers are in pursuit of a stolen truck driving along the southbound 5 Freeway near Castaic.

Bonta and immigration advocacy groups agree the law doesn't apply to police and sheriffs in California. The act explicitly charges Department of Homeland Security employees with detaining ...