LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Residents south and west of Lake Castaic scrambled to flee the path of the Hughes Fire, which had scorched over 5,000 acres in less than three hours on Wednesday.

The blaze was first reported shortly before 11 a.m. near Lake Hughes and the road of the same name, according to fire officials.  

Evacuation orders and warnings were quickly issued and expanded as the flames burned through dry brush in dangerously low humidity with strong Santa Ana winds. 

Several residents who live on Pine Crest Place in Castaic took a moment while hurriedly packing their belongings into their vehicles to speak with KTLA 5’s Ellina Abovian, including one young man who was helping his mother. 

The young man told KTLA that, despite the urgent situation, he was “kind of chilling” but praying that his home wouldn’t burn down. 

“We’re getting ready to leave and probably go to my grandma’s house in Frazier Park,” he said, adding that he only noticed the flames when he woke up at 11 a.m.

Another man said he would stay at his home as long as he could. 

“I’m going to water down the roofline and our backyard – we have some dry brush back there,” the man, whose son goes to the now-evacuated Castaic High School, said. 

Another evacuee, speaking from a home belonging to his girlfriend, said that he was focused on grabbing essential documents and family heirlooms and turning on the sprinklers at the house. 

“They blocked off the roads, so I had to run a couple of miles to get here,” the man said. “I’m okay, but I just want to make sure we get all the pets and everything that’s most important…Material things aren’t that important.” 

A woman, Martha, told KTLA that the only thing she was worried about was her family. 

“We are okay, and that’s all I need,” Martha said. “I came from work, and my neighbors are helping me. They are awesome.” 

Law enforcement officials went door to door in the neighborhood, encouraging residents to leave; they cannot be forced to evacuate. 

Click here for the most up-to-date information on the Hughes Fire.

A map of evacuation zones can be found here, and a list of shelters for evacuated residents and animals can be found here.