Rapid Fire Triggers Evacuations, Shuts Down Freeway in Gorman
TL/DR –
A wildfire started Saturday afternoon along Interstate 5 near the Grapevine and has already expanded to over 4,400 acres, heading south towards the town of Castaic. High winds are threatening to expand the fire’s reach and an evacuation order has been issued affecting areas from Gorman to just south of Pyramid Lake. As of the latest update, firefighters are attempting to contain the fire and 0% containment has been reported.
Fast-Moving Wildfire Threatens Castaic, Interstate 5
A rapidly progressing wildfire that began on Saturday afternoon along Interstate 5 near the Grapevine was moving southward towards Castaic by nightfall. Overnight, powerful winds in the Tejon Pass might exacerbate the spreading of the fire, officials warned.
The wildfire, dubbed the Post fire, had grown to over 4,400 acres by late Saturday. Evacuation orders were issued stretching from Gorman to just south of Pyramid Lake, paralleling the course of I-5.
An incident update issued at 8 p.m. stated: “Firefighters are constructing perimeter fire lines around the fire. Aircraft are working to halt forward progress but visibility is limited.”
Traffic was briefly halted on I-5 at Quail Lake and Gorman Post Road due to the fire, leading to several accidents reportedly caused by drivers stopping to take photos of the fire.
Response to Wildfire near Interstate 5
The blaze began around 2 p.m. Saturday and quickly swelled beyond 500 acres, endangering structures south and west of I-5. Rapid response from Los Angeles County Fire Department using air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, with support from the Ventura County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service, is ongoing. As of Saturday night, 70 engines and 300 personnel are battling the fire.
Firefighters are battling challenging conditions, with the National Weather Service anticipating wind speeds to increase and ridgetop gusts reaching up to 60 mph.
The fire originated as a brush fire south of Ralphs Ranch Road and has since burned an auto repair shop, forcing an evacuation for 1,200 people from the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area and the closure of access to Pyramid Lake. Late Saturday night, officials reported 0% containment as smoke plumes filled the sky over I-5.
This fire outbreak comes as experts are evaluating the potential severity of this year’s fire season. A rainy winter has resulted in a significant fuel load of dense grasses, which are now drying with the rising temperatures. A massive, wind-driven wildfire earlier this month burned more than 14,000 acres in San Joaquin County, south of Tracy.
The Post fire battle comes just a day after an L.A. County Fire Department colleague was killed and another injured responding to a quarry fire in Antelope Valley.
—
Read More US News