A fast-moving brush fire north of Los Angeles has prompted mandatory evacuation orders for some 500 homes, as firefighters battled the flames.
The Lake Fire erupted late last night near Lake Hughes, about a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles.
Rapidly-spreading flames had burned some 4,000 hectares within a little more than three hours, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
"Multiple agencies are battling a brush fire near the Lake Hughes area in the Angeles National Forest," the department said in a tweet.
|Update| The #LakeFire has grown to 10,000 acres and is 0% contained. pic.twitter.com/gNuygunYX4
— Angeles_NF (@Angeles_NF) August 13, 2020
The smoke plume from the flames could be seen miles away from the site of the fire.
More than 300 firefighters backed by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to fight the blaze.
"#LASD deputies currently evacuating residents in the area," the fire department said in another tweet, referring to the LA Sheriff's Department.
"Please help us help you & our loved ones get out safely."
If you are affected by #LakeFire & can safely shelter with friends & family, please do so. If you are unable to do so, we have opened an evacuation point at Highland High School [39055 25th St W #Palmdale].
— Red Cross Los Angeles (@RedCrossLA) August 13, 2020
More on evacuating safely during a #wildfire: https://t.co/buVT8GFb4Z pic.twitter.com/QmSaFqxsPb
Wildfires have become more frequent and bigger in California in recent years, in part driven by climate change.
The deadliest fire in the state's history - the Camp Fire - took place in northern California in November 2018 and killed 86 people.
