A new wildfire erupted near Castaic Lake, north of Los Angeles, on Wednesday, rapidly spreading to over 8,000 acres (3,200 hectares) within hours. Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate as the region grapples with its third major blaze in recent days.
Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire is spreading ferociously, with embers and thick smoke threatening to push the flames further. Emergency services are on high alert, battling to contain the blaze as fears grow over its potential impact on nearby communities.
"I'm just praying that our house doesn't burn down," one man told broadcaster KTLA as he packed his car.
The fire came with the greater Los Angeles area still suffering after two enormous fires that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of structures.
Robert Jensen, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, urged everyone in the impacted area of the new blaze -- dubbed the Hughes Fire -- to leave immediately.
