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.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Wednesday due to the Hughes Fire burning near Castaic Lake, north of Santa Clarita.

The president has had harsh words for state and local leaders in California amid the deadly blazes. He recently suggested that federal aid could come with strings.