As of 6 p.m. PT, the Hughes Fire has spread at least 9,269 acres. across LA and Ventura counties. Students at Castaic schools have been evacuated to nearby locations awaiting parents to pick them up.

Named the Hughes fire, the blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 Freeway and close to Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire.

Photos: Hughes fire in Castaic explodes to more than 9,000 acres in just hours. Firefighters battle the Hughes fire off of Tapia Canyon Road in Castaic. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) ...

The Hughes fire started off of Lake Hughes Road just before 11 a.m. and quickly prompted evacuations orders in and around ...

Named the Hughes fire, the blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 Freeway and close to Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire.

Named the Hughes fire, the blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the area of Lake Hughes Road and the 5 Freeway and close to Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire.