Officials ordered evacuations in the area surrounding the Hughes Fire on Wednesday morning, located near Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County.

By David Swanson and Daniel Trotta CASTAIC, California (Reuters) -A new wildfire that broke out north of Los Angeles on Wednesday rapidly spread to more than 8,000 acres (32 square km), fueled by strong winds and dry brush,

The Hughes Fire that started on Wednesday has burned through over 5,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties on Wednesday.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 8,096 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service said there is a 15-25% chance of thunderstorms across the region, which could bring periods of heavy rainfall that could overwhelm the burn-scar areas.

The Hughes Fire, which broke out north of Santa Clarita in Castaic, Calif., earlier Wednesday, has scorched more than 3,400 acres, according to Cal Fire.

With parts of Los Angeles County still smoldering from wildfires and new blazes flaring up, expected rainfall this weekend would seem like a welcome relief.

Wildfires in the Los Angeles ... to its wildfire emergency fund. The proceeds will go toward equipping firefighters with tools and supplies to contain the infernos. The California Fire Foundation ...

President Donald Trump visited California on Friday to discuss the Los Angeles fires.During a roundtable with California officials, Trump promised to help fund relief efforts.The meeting came after weeks of Trump threatening to withhold federal funds for recovery.

"I mean, the California wildfires are terrible, and I've got a bunch of friends out there, and when I heard that they were raising money for it, I was like, I have to go," said Jessica Fisher of Queens.

Jan. 8, 5:11 p.m. PSTBiden approves a Major Disaster Declaration for California, making federal funding available to those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles County. Jan. 8, 1:25 p.m. PSTThe ...