Firefighters on the ground and in the air rushed to slow a rapidly spreading brush fire that exploded near Castaic on Wednesday, forcing evacuations around Lake Castaic and impacting traffic on the 5 Freeway. The Hughes Fire erupted around 10:50 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road, according to Cal Fire incident commanders. Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire near Castaic, California on Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)An air tanker makes a retardant drop around the Hughes Fire in northern Los Angeles County on Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)A firefighting helicopter attacks the Hughes Fire near Castaic, California. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)Sky5 view of the Hughes Fire next to Castaic Lake. Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA)An air tanker makes a retardant drop around the Hughes Fire in northern Los Angeles County on Jan. 22, 2025. (KTLA) It was spreading through dry brush and trees, mainly on the east side of the lake, fanned by Santa Ana winds. The fire was initially reported at 50 acres but had exploded to nearly 8,100 acres by 3:45 p.m., according to Cal Fire, with no containment. The cause of the fire was unknown. Officials told KTLA 5 News that roughly 31,000 people, including residents of Castaic, were being evacuated from communities south, north and west of the wildfire. At about 2 p.m., a portion of Ventura County near Lake Piru was added to the mandatory evacuation zones. About 20,000 more were under evacuation warnings, including residents of Ventura County south of Lake Piru. Included in the evacuation zone were several schools, including Northlake Elementary, Castaic Middle, Castaic Elementary and Castaic High. A temporary evacuation center was set up at Hart High School, 24825 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91321. Bob Brauniesen, superintendent of the Castaic Unified School District, said all students had been picked up by mid-afternoon. "More than likely, we'll cancel school for tomorrow ... Right now, we're worried about the families staying safe," he said. Road Closures: Ridge Route Rd at Lake Hughes Ridge Route Rd at Templin Hwy Lake Hughes at Pine Cyn Dry Gulch at San Francisquito Cyn Rd I-5 NB at Parker Rd Off Ramp and I-5 NB at Lake Hughes Rd off-ramp will be shut down. As a result of the blaze, the 5 Freeway was closed between the 126 Freeway and Grapevine Road, the California Highway Patrol told KTLA. On- and off-ramps have also been closed. "If you can, just avoid the area," CHP spokesperson Alec Pereyda added. "State resources have been deployed to the Hughes Fire in the Angeles National Forest to assist in the federal response," California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on social media. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide the federal government with whatever it needs to extinguish this fire." More information is expected to come from a press conference at 5 p.m. Will Conybeare and Marc Sternfield contributed to this report.