KNX NEWS HAS CONTINUOUS COVERAGE OF THE PALISADES FIRE. FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE OF THE FIRE, CLICK HERE.
A fast-moving brush fire erupted near Castaic Lake on Wednesday morning, engulfing over 9,400 acres by early evening.
The blaze was reported around 11 a.m. in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 freeway, according to Cal Fire. The fire spread quickly due to high winds, growing to 500 acres within less than 30 minutes.
By 6:30 p.m., the fire had scorched approximately 9,435 acres and was 0% contained. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the "situation remains dynamic and the fire remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand."
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for areas on all sides of Castaic Lake. As the fire expanded, evacuation warnings were in place for areas as far as Lake Piru in Ventura County.
At a 5 p.m. press conference, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said about 31,000 people were under evacuation orders, and another 25,000 were under evacuation warnings.
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Luna said about 476 inmates from the Pitchess Detention Center were evacuated to a neighboring facility. He told KCAL9 that roughly 4,600 inmates at jails in the area were sheltering in place, but buses were being moved to the jails in case conditions changed.
North Lake Hills Elementary School and Castaic Middle, Elementary, and High schools were also evacuated.
A temporary evacuation center was originally established at Valencia High School, but as the fire spread, the center was relocated to Hart High School, 24825 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita.
Red Cross established an evacuation shelter at College of the Canyons East Gym, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road.
College of the Canyons closed both of its campuses in the Santa Clarita area when the fire erupted Wednesday, and they will remain closed Thursday. Online classes will be held as scheduled.
Small animals can be taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Highway. Small and large animals can be taken to Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Avenue I. Large animals can also be taken to Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills.
Small animals can be taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center at 38550 Sierra Highway while both small and large animals can be taken to Lancaster Animal Care Center at 5210 W. Avenue I.
The latest updates on evacuation orders, evacuation centers, and road closures can be found at https://santaclaritaemergency.com.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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