Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for a fast-moving wildfire that has burned at least 500 acres near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic Wednesday morning, authorities said.

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

Hughes Fire initially started 10:53 a.m. Jan. 22 in Los Angeles County. It has burned 10,396 acres after being active for 46 hours. By Friday morning, the fire crew succeeded in containing 56% of the wildfire. The cause is, however, still being investigated.

Firefighters fought to maintain the upper hand on a huge and rapidly moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and resulted in more than 50,000 people being put under evacuation orders or warnings.

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.

Hughes Fire initially started 10:53 a.m. Jan. 22 in Los Angeles County. It has burned 10,425 acres after being active for three days. By Saturday morning, the fire crew succeeded in containing 87% of the wildfire. The cause is, however, still being investigated.