Firefighters increased containment of the Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake to 87% Saturday as evacuation orders were lifted, while preparing for an expected shift in the winds and the likelihood of rain this weekend that has prompted a flood watch.

Coverage of when the Hughes fire exploded north of Castaic, the areas under evacuation orders and an extended red flag warning.

A fast-moving brush fire raced across thousands of acres of thick vegetation near Castaic Lake Wednesday, forcing mandatory evacuations in the lake area and into the heart of Castaic, with warnings stretching toward Santa Clarita and reaching the Ventura County line.

Some evacuation orders have been lifted as firefighters with air support slowed the spread of the Hughes Fire, but new blazes erupted in other parts of SoCal.

A red flag warning for critical fire weather in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, issued by the National Weather Service ... Hughes fire broke out in Castaic amidst the red flag warning ...

The Hughes Fire was first reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. along Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic Lake and the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters made progress on the more than 10,000-acre Hughes Fire Friday, which sent thousands fleeing after sparking near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic a day earlier.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 5,054 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.

Overnight water drops helped stop the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles.

Coverage of the Hughes, Sepulveda and Laguna fires in Southern California during a fourth consecutive day of red flag fire weather warnings.

Firefighters in Southern California have been conducting more fierce wildfire fights as crews race to contain and extinguish several fires that broke out on Wednesday and Thursday.