Lake Fire: Lake Hughes blaze in Angeles National Forest chars 10,500 acres; mandatory evacuations in place

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LAKE HUGHES, Calif. (KABC) -- Crews scrambled Thursday to protect homes from a fast-moving brush fire near Lake Hughes in the Angeles National Forest that prompted evacuations, and officials warned the blaze could flare up again as a blistering heat wave descends on Southern California.The Lake Fire exploded in size in a matter of hours and charred 10,500 acres amid hot temperatures after it was reported Wednesday at about 3:45 p.m. near the intersection of North Lake Hughes Road and Pine Canyon Road, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.Flames raced across ridges and steep slopes, including in some areas that had not burned since 1968, fire officials said. By Thursday morning, the blaze had consumed nearly 16.5 square miles (42 square kilometers) of timber and brush. There was no containment.By Thursday afternoon, the blaze was still at 0% containment, but firefighters were hoping to take make further progress ahead of a major heat wave expected over the weekend.Light winds and scattered thundershowers early in the day helped firefighters tame the flames somewhat. But as the cloud cover cleared and temperatures spiked Thursday afternoon, officials prepared for a repeat of the ferocious fire activity seen a day earlier."This will be a major fire for several days," said Chief Robert Garcia with the U.S. Forest Service.The blaze is driving through brush-filled ridgetops. The flames created an enormous column of smoke seen dozens of miles away.No injuries were immediately reported, but Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced mandatory evacuation orders.According to L.A. County Fire Department, evacuations were ordered in the area of Lake Hughes Road west of Pine Canyon Road and north of Dry Gulch Road, east of Ridge Route Road, west of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78, north of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road and south of Highway 138. Officials said 5,420 structures were threatened and at least 100 structures were affected by the evacuation orders.Officially, fire authorities have said at least three structures were destroyed. But Eyewitness News observed the ruins of a larger number, possibly a dozen or more buildings damaged or destroyed in the area near Pine Canyon Road. An official assessment of the damage is still underway as the firefight continues.Local resident Randy Miller watched the fire rapidly grow in size, coming down the hill as he and his neighbors began to evacuate. Eventually the flames would consume his home."We were all retreating down the street and it just rolled in and it was taking everything as it went down," he said.Evacuation points were set up at Highland High School at 39055 25th St. West Palmdale and the Castaic Sports Complex at 31230 Castaic Rd.Shelters for large animals were available at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds and the Castaic Fairgrounds.The L.A. County Fire Department said Wednesday night the blaze "will continue to grow and threaten the surrounding communities of Lake Hughes, Leona Valley, Lake Elizabeth, Pine Canyon and Three Points."Five hundred firefighters, who are already at the scene or on their way, are tackling the inferno. Multiple aircraft are also being used. The Lake Fire created enough force to make several "fire tornadoes."The area is no stranger to fires. In 2013, the Powerhouse Fire burned 30,000 acres but officials say a lot of the land involved in the Lake Fire hasn't burned since 1968. The Powerhouse Fire was caused by electrical power lines and took about 10 days to containThe cause of the blaze is under investigation. An area believed to be the origin point was blocked off with red tape. It's one of several wildfires burning in the region.