As devastating wildfires have destroyed huge swaths of Los Angeles County, incinerating homes and leaving at least 27 people dead, fire and law enforcement authorities have also had to contend with multiple cases of arson.

Eight individuals face charges for alleged crimes during Los Angeles County's wildfires, including arson and looting, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The

The Hughes fire, which broke out north of Santa Clarita earlier Wednesday, has scorched more than 5,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.

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 rapidly growing wildfire broke out some 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, burning 3,407 acres (5.3 square km) while two major fires burning in the metropolitan area for more than two weeks were getting under control,

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

A new wildfire erupted north of Los Angeles on Wednesday, exploding in size and sparking thousands of evacuation orders in a region already staggering from the effects of huge blazes.