Photos taken of the Hughes Fire around Castaic Lake, California captured the massive blaze and cloud of smoke visible from Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The Hughes Fire near Castaic, California, has burned over 5,000 acres, prompting evacuations and school closures.

The Hughes Fire in Castaic area has burned more than 9,400 acres in just hours. While Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone called it a "difficult fire," he said that crews are "getting the upper hand on containing the blaze."

The blaze was reported just after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the area of Lake Hughes Road near the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.

As critical fire weather continues to strike in Southern California, crews are also tasked with preparing for a storm expected this weekend that could trigger mudslides in burn scar areas.

Over 1,100 firefighters were “strategically pre-positioned” across Southern California to address "ongoing critical fire weather," Cal Fire said.

Crews fighting the fires were expected to be tested by strong Santa Ana winds of up to 80 kph with gusts reaching 105 kph.

B Holly Yan, Brandon Miller, Amanda Musa, Emma Tucker and Josh Campbell, CNN (CNN) — Exhausted firefighters battling deadly infernos for weeks are

A fast-moving wildfire exploded to roughly 10,200 acres near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic Wednesday morning, prompting mandatory evacuation orders and road closures, authorities said.

Even as Santa Ana winds continued to blast parts of the Southland, helping to fuel a new brush fires in the Castaic area and Sepulveda Basin, local authorities are turning their attention Thursday to the possibility of rain hitting the area this weekend,

A "particularly dangerous situation" warning goes into effect Monday as strong Santa Ana winds return along with a heightened risk of wildfires.