LOS ANGELES - A new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, exploding in size and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes, in a region already on edge after two deadly blazes.
Ferocious flames were devouring hillsides near Castaic Lake, spreading rapidly to cover more than 3,200 hectares in just a few hours.
The fire was being fanned by strong, dry Santa Ana winds that were racing through the area, pushing a vast pall of smoke and dangerous embers ahead of the flames -- sparking fears that it could spread further.
Evacuations were ordered for 31,000 people around the lake, which sits around 56 kilometres north of Los Angeles, and close to the city of Santa Clarita.
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.
"We've seen the devastation caused by people failing to follow those orders in the Palisades and Eaton fires," he said.
"I don't want to see that here in our community as well. If you've been issued an evacuation order, please get out."
Helicopters and planes were on the scene dropping water and retardant on the blaze.