"Holy cow" - Internet reacts to video of boater evacuating Castaic Lake trying to beat raging flames from Hughes fire

A video of a boater’s harrowing escape from Castaic Lake as the quickly growing Hughes Fire approached has sparked reactions across the Internet.

The video, recorded by Nicholas Billy, underscores the aggressive and volatile behavior of the wildfire, which has already scorched more than 10,000 acres in Los Angeles County since it was ignited early Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The Hughes Fire broke out near Castaic Lake, a popular recreation area just north of Santa Clarita. Amid gusts of wind reaching 30 mph and extremely dry conditions, the fire expanded from 500 acres to greater than 10,000 acres in hours.

In the footage, one can see thick clouds of smoke that engulf the lake as the fire crew works from the air in an effort to extract water from the reservoir to douse the flames. Billy, who was out in a boat on the lake, recounted the tense moments as he was told to evacuate. According to Yahoo News, he told Storyful:

"After I was told to evacuate the lake, I could see how bad the fire was as I was on my way to the launch ramp,"

The dramatic footage quickly circulated online, with viewers expressing both shock and awe at the speed and intensity of the blaze. One X user simply commented:

"Holy cow."

"Seems to me, there’s no place safer from fire than in the middle of water" said one (@CVJeff1980) internet user.

"It has burned to the water before. I remember it from when I was a child" remarked (@lsjsbtd) another.

"Aunt lived in Canyon Country, we used to go here when I would go out to visit." reminisced an internet user (@USHISTORY79).

"Looks like they'll make it" said another (@LeroyJenkins810).

"Putting that 250 to work!!! Great video. Hope all was safe getting off the water" remarked another (@bcuz_chris) X user.

Rapidly escalating emergency caused by the Hughes fire

More than 31,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders because of the Hughes Fire, which has also led to evacuation warnings for another 23,000 people. Officials have also emphasized the immediate danger to life, and residents are being urged to leave the affected areas immediately.

According to CBS News, Officials have not reported any structural damage or injuries so far, which reflects well on the coordinated work of emergency responders despite how quickly the fire spread.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that about 4,000 personnel, including federal and state firefighting teams, have been deployed to battle the Hughes fire. Governor Gavin Newsom has also enlisted state resources to help with the efforts.

Temporary evacuation centers have been set up at Valencia High School and Hart High School, and animal shelters in Lancaster and Agoura are taking in pets and livestock displaced by the wildfire.