New fast-moving Hughes Fire breaks out north of Los Angeles triggering more evacuation orders

Evacuations were ordered on Wednesday for remote communities near a huge and fast-moving wildfire in mountains north of Los Angeles.

More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff, Robert Luna.

It comes as parched Southern California endured another round of dangerous winds, ahead of possible rain over the weekend.

The Hughes Fire broke out on Wednesday morning and quickly ripped through nearly 40 square kilometres of trees and brush. The fire created massive plumes of dark smoke near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 65 kilometres away from where the Eaton and Palisades fires are ongoing for a third week.

An almost 50 km stretch of a major highway was closed as flames raced along hilltops and down into rugged canyons. Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving south toward more populated communities in Castaic.

Authorities say the highway – Interstate 5 – will be reopened shortly, noting that fire remains difficult to contain, but firefighters are getting the upper hand..

At least three schools were evacuated as a precaution in Castaic – home to about 18,000 people – according to the California Highway Patrol.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials were preparing for potential rain even as some residents were allowed to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighbourhoods.

“We’re going to see another round of critical fire conditions across Southern California,” said Todd Hall, a US National Weather Service meteorologist.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to expedite cleanup efforts in burn areas and mitigate the environmental