Following arrests of alleged firefighter impersonators, officials say two more people have been taken into custody for using fake passes to unlawfully enter a fire evacuation zone.

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.

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 9,400 acres (38 square km), fueled by strong winds and dry brush,

Offramps along Interstate 5, a major north-south artery, were closed as flames raced along hilltops and down into rugged canyons.

Nearly 20,000 people were ordered to flee an area north of Los Angeles on Wednesday after a fast-moving wildfire exploded, growing to more than 5,000 acres in a few hours, officials said.

A fast-growing brush fire forced evacuation orders in the Los Angeles County community of Castaic on Wednesday, officials said. The blaze, which officials named 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.

The deadly wreck took place just before 2:30 a.m. Thursday along Fort Irwin Road near Old Yermo Cutoff, according to the CHP.

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

Two men on dirt bikes escaped police after a chase through surface streets and freeways in Los Angeles County, waving at police and news helicopters. No one was arrested.

The California Highway Patrol says that the 106 new officers have completed 26 weeks of rigorous and comprehensive training in order to prepare them for the challenges of law enforcement,

The fire threat remains critical in Southern California, where thousands of residents were under evacuation orders Wednesday as fire crews battled the out-of-control Hughes Fire near Castaic, a suburb in the foothills and mountains of northern Los Angeles County.

Barstow High School graduate Michael Ardon was one of several cadets from San Bernardino County who were sworn in as California Highway Patrol officers. Officer Ardon successfully completed cadet training at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento and was assigned duty at the CHP’s Redwood City Area office.