The blaze temporarily closed parts of Interstate 5 and prompted evacuation orders and warnings for more than 50,000 people.

A new fire broke out near Los Angeles’ Bel Air neighborhood early on Thursday as the Hughes fire which was first reported a day earlier in northern Los Angeles County grew rapidly to set ablaze more than 10,000 acres, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders and warnings to more than 50,000 people.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told media on Wednesday (January 22) that authorities have the "upper hand" on the fierce Hughes fire, but admitted the blaze would be "difficult to contain".