CASTAIC, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters fought to maintain the upper hand on a huge and rapidly moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and resulted in more than 50,000 people being put under evacuation orders or warnings.

The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had charred nearly 16 square miles of trees and brush near Lake Castaic.

A fast-moving wildfire, the Hughes Fire, has erupted near Los Angeles, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. The fire ignited near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, spreading rapidly through dry brush.