Update: 8:00 a.m.: Fire is 712 acres and is 75% contained. More than 300 firefighters are on scene today according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department tweet.

Update: 5:50 p.m.: Fire is 575 acres and is 20% contained.

Update: 4:45 p.m.: Evacuation orders have been lifted for homes along Elk Ridge Road and Vista Point Place. Residents may return to their homes.

Update: 4:30 p.m.: Fire is 0% contained.

Update: 4:27 p.m.: The fire has grown to 350 acres. Evacuations are complete, Elk Ridge Road and Vista Point Place have been evacuated.

Earlier: A brush fire has charred more than 200 acres of land in Castaic, slowing traffic and threatening a nearby school.

The fire broke out around 1:30 PM prompting authorities to place Northlake Hills Elementary on lockdown for an hour.

The blaze shut down lanes of Interstate 5 and nearby streets as flames moved through the area.

Fire crews have made good progress in protecting the school as sustained winds fanned the blaze.

As of 3:20 p.m. all Northlake Hills Elementary School students have left the campus including Sunshine Daycare-bound students.

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for 19 homes along Elk Ridge Road and Vista Point Place in Castaic.

More updates to come.

Photos by Rick McClure