Fast-burning fire prompts evacuations, freeway closure near Gorman

A wind-driven wildfire along Interstate 5 near the Grapevine exploded to more than 11,000 acres by early Sunday and had charted a path south toward the town of Castaic, prompting hundreds of evacuations throughout the region, officials said.

Strong gusty winds overnight in the Tejon Pass fanned the Post fire as it moved parallel to the I-5, heading south, according to CalFire. The fire was 0% contained as of early Sunday as high winds, low humidity and steep terrain continued to hamper firefighting efforts.

An evacuation order was in effect from Gorman to just south of Pyramid Lake, with 1,200 campers and other visitors evacuated from the Hungry Valley Park off-road vehicle recreation area. Videos and photos posted on social media captured an exodus of motor homes, trailing ATVs, from campgrounds crowded with groups celebrating Father’s Day weekend.

“Firefighters are working to construct perimeter fire lines around the flakes of the fire,” according to a Cal Fire incident report. “Aircraft are working to stop forward progress but have limited visibility.”

Two structures were reported damaged, according to the agency.

I-5 was briefly shut down Saturday at Quail Lake and Gorman Post Road, leaving traffic snarled, with some accidents reportedly caused by drivers who stopped to photograph the flames.

The blaze started around 2 p.m. Saturday and quickly grew beyond 500 acres, threatening structures to the south and west of I-5. Los Angeles County Fire Department crews rapidly responded, making aerial assaults with air tankers and water-dropping helicopters. The Ventura County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service are aiding in the effort. As of late Saturday, 70 engines and 300 personnel were involved in the battle.

Temperatures in the mountainous area were forecast Sunday to reach the low 80s after topping 90 degrees Saturday. However, the fire could be stoked by afternoon wind gusts as high as 50 mph and humidity dropping to 15-20%, said Carlos Molina, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “They are going to have a difficult time with the fire,” he said.

Meanwhile, firefighters were battling another large brush fire in the San Bernardino Count community of Hesperia that broke out after 6 p.m. Saturday in the 18000 block of N. Highway 173.

It prompted area road closures and an evacuation warning for the nearby Lake Arrowhead Estates community, according to Cal Fire. The brush fire was pushing east and after minimal activity overnight had grown to 1,300 acres by Sunday morning. Crews were strengthening the lines around the fire, which was 7% contained, and mopping up hot spots. The cause was under investigation.

The Post fire began as a brush fire south of Ralphs Ranch Road and reportedly jumped the road, burning an auto repair shop, officials said.

The two wildfires erupted as experts worked to gauge the potential severity of this year’s fire season. A wet winter has nurtured a potentially heavy fuel load of thick grasses, which are drying as temperatures rise. A wind-driven wildfire scorched more than 14,000 acres in San Joaquin County, south of Tracy, earlier this month.

L.A. County Fire Department crews were battling the Post fire just days after one of their colleagues was killed and another injured while responding to a quarry fire in Antelope Valley.