A cloud of smoke from the Hughes Fire rises as firefighters and aircraft battle it near Castaic Lake, California, on Wednesday.
A cloud of smoke from the Hughes Fire rises as firefighters and aircraft battle it near Castaic Lake, California, on Wednesday.
David Swanson/Reuters
CNN  — 

Fire crews are battling a swiftly growing blaze dubbed the Hughes Fire burning near Interstate 5 in Castaic, in the northern part of Los Angeles County. Residents in the immediate vicinity of Castaic Lake are under mandatory evacuations, according to the LA County Fire Department.

The fire began at 10:53 a.m. and has burned 500 acres in one hour, Cal Fire said.