Firefighters have increased containment of the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake to 87% Saturday while preparing for an expected shift in the winds with a chance of rain expected through Monday and a flash flood watch warning expected from 4 p.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Monday.
"This may create erratic shifts that crews are prepping for to immediately and aggressively attack any new problem areas," Angeles National Forest officials said during a Friday morning update.
The fire had burned 10,425 acres since it started at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in a remote area east of the lake, according to Cal Fire.
Aided by gusting Santa Ana winds and thick, dry vegetation, the fire exploded over thousands of acres, reaching 9,450 acres as of early Wednesday evening. An aggressive aerial attack on the fire dramatically slowed the spread by nightfall.
Some 1,745 firefighters remained on the job clearing a perimeter of vegetation around the burn area despite extreme fire behavior, steep terrain and low humidity, officials said. They would remain available in Castaic, Santa Claraita and other communities potentially threatened by the fire.
While evacuation orders remained in place for areas around the immediate perimeter of the fire, other nearby neighborhoods were reduced from evacuation orders to warnings, with warnings lifted in most other areas, including in the bulk of the Castaic community.
Sheriff's officials urged residents returning to their homes to do so with caution, noting continued poor air quality to due ash and smoke, and the dangers of fire debris. Residents were urged to wear N-95 masks, limit outdoor activities and keep their windows and doors closed.
A temporary evacuation center for people displaced by the fire remains open at College of the Canyons East Gym, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road.
Small animals can be taken to the Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Highway. Small and large animals can be taken to Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W. Avenue I. Large animals can also be taken to Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills.