31,000 People Ordered To Evacuate After New Fire Erupts Near Los Angeles

:A new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, exploding in size and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes, in a region already on edge after two deadly blazes.Ferocious flames were devouring hillsides near Castaic Lake, spreading rapidly to cover more than 8,000 acres (3,200 hectares) in just a few hours.The fire was being fanned by strong, dry Santa Ana winds that were racing through the area, pushing a vast pall of smoke and dangerous embers ahead of the flames — sparking fears that it could spread further.Evacuations were ordered for 31,000 people around the lake, which sits around 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, and close to the city of Santa Clarita.Residents received emergency alerts after a new fire erupted north of Los Angeles.”I’m just praying that our house doesn’t burn down,” one man told broadcaster KTLA as he packed his car.The fire came with the greater Los Angeles area still suffering after two enormous fires that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of structures.Robert Jensen, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, urged everyone in the impacted area of the new blaze — dubbed the Hughes Fire — to leave immediately.