Los Angeles: The wildfire situation around Los Angeles County, California, is once again in a critical state due to new wildfires that are spreading rapidly and are still not under control.

According to Thai News Agency, the Hughes Fire, a new wildfire that broke out in the Castic Lake area about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Los Angeles, was engulfed in flames Wednesday as dry weather and strong winds forced the blaze to spread rapidly in just hours. It has burned more than 38 square kilometers (122 square miles) and is still out of control, with more than 31,000 people ordered to evacuate and another 23,000 advised to evacuate. The 2,800-square-kilometer Angeles National Forest has been closed to visitors.

The outbreak of the Hughes Fire has forced thousands of firefighters to work harder amid inclement weather conditions, while the Palisades Fire, the largest wildfire in Southern California, is now 70 percent contained, and the larger Eaton Fire is now 95 percent contained, both of which have been burning since Jan. 7.