The approximately 10,176-acre Hughes Fire burning northeast of Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County has created smoke

Firefighters responded to a brush fire Wednesday north of Los Angeles on a day of red flag warnings for parts of Southern California.

Firefighters responded to a brush fire Wednesday north of Los Angeles on a day of red flag warnings for parts of Southern California.

The Hughes Fire, reported shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday near Castaic Lake, prompted evacuation of a 280-square-mile area north of Los Angeles. The map above shows the mandatory evacuation area in red and the approximate perimeter as a black line.

A new wildfire broke out in Los Angeles County, California, Wednesday, called the Hughes fire that has already grown to more than 5,000 acres in size.

Officials issued evacuation orders in and around the Castaic Lake area. Evacuation warnings border Santa Clarita, one residential area closest to the fire.

The Hughes Fire, near the Castaic Lake area, spread to more than 10,000 acres as the smaller Sepulveda Fire broke out along Interstate 405.

CASTAIC, California >> Powerful winds and bone-dry conditions could pose a challenge to firefighters battling new wildfires in southern California today, including a blaze that swelled over the past day and forced tens of thousands of evacuations north of Los Angeles.

With high winds driving the flames, a fast-moving wildfire exploded to roughly 10,200 acres near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic Wednesday — prompting mandatory evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people.

While the insurance cost of the devastation is estimated to be around $30 billion, another tally puts the total damage at upwards of $250 billion.

Evacuations ordered near Los Angeles as wind-driven wildfire threatens remote communities. Stay updated on the Hughes Fire.