The fire threat remains critical in Southern California, where thousands of residents were under evacuation orders Wednesday as fire crews battled the out-of-control Hughes Fire near Castaic, a suburb in the foothills and mountains of northern Los Angeles County.

A fresh California wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles Wednesday during critical fire weather and triggered evacuations as it quickly exploded in size across two counties on Wednesday — and forecasters warn conditions will worsen through the night.

High winds in Los Angeles are driving the flames in the new, fast-moving wildfire, which is spreading near the Clarita Valley.

A fresh California wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles Wednesday during critical fire weather and triggered evacuations as it quickly exploded in size across two counties on Wednesday — and forecasters warn conditions will worsen through the night.