By David Swanson and Daniel Trotta CASTAIC, California (Reuters) -A new wildfire that broke out north of Los Angeles on Wednesday rapidly spread to more than 8,000 acres (32 square km), fueled by strong winds and dry brush,

The Hughes Fire has spread over 8,096 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.

A rapidly growing wildfire broke out some 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, burning 3,407 acres (5.3 square km) while two major fires burning in the metropolitan area for more than two weeks were getting under control,

Friday, 12:36 p.m. PST Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced another eight people were charged for crimes linked to the wildfires in Los Angeles, bringing the total to 17 as the accused face charges such as looting, arson and impersonation of a firefighter.

Hughes Fire Today Live News Updates: The death toll from the Los Angeles fires climbed to 28 on Thursday, with nearly 22 individuals still missing and thousands of residents displaced, according to the AP.

The Hughes Fire destroyed more than 8,000 acres north of Los Angeles on Wednesday but no structures were destroyed in the initial hours of the event.

Hughes fire evacuation orders. Neighborhoods northwest of Lake Hughes Road were placed under mandatory evacuation orders, while communities southeast of the road were under evacua

Smoke quickly filled the skies over Southern California on Jan. 22, 2025, as a new fire, dubbed the Hughes Fire, rapidly grew to more than 5,000 acres

The Hughes Fire has erupted in Southern California and has already spread across more than 5,000 acres. the CBS News Los Angeles team is reporting on the new mandatory evacuation orders.