A brush fire erupted overnight in the Lebec area, affecting traffic on the southbound 5 Freeway near Fort Tejon Road. The fire, dubbed the Fort Fire, was first reported shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday and by 4 a.m. Thursday, it had scorched 133 acres, according to the Kern County Fire Department.
The blaze has prompted evacuation warnings for the area of Digier Canyon in Lebec. Residents have been urged to be ready to leave if necessary, as conditions can change rapidly. The fire, which is currently 5% contained, is causing significant traffic delays on the Grapevine. At least one lane is closed, and a line of cars is backed up through the area. The California Highway Patrol has advised commuters to expect delays and give emergency crews space to work.
Firefighters are actively battling the blaze, with a helicopter en route to assist. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it reportedly started as a vehicle fire on the southbound I-5, which spread to nearby grass, initially covering half an acre. Firefighters quickly contained the vehicle fire, but the brush fire continued to spread.
For updates on the situation, residents and commuters are encouraged to check the CalFire website. Drivers should exercise caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility and road conditions.
An Evacuation WARNING is in effect in the Digier Canyon-Lebec. You should PREPARE to leave. The situation can change very quickly, and visibility in area may be reduced and roads can become blocked.
Search your address to verify if you are affected by this Evacuation Warning: https://protect.genasys.com/search
Evacuation Boundaries
NORTH OF Temescal Drive, Digier Road
SOUTH OF Golden State Freeway
EAST OF Grapevine Road
WEST OF Golden State Freeway
If you have an emergency CALL 9-1-1. MONITOR your local media or check Facebook.com/ReadyKern for updates.
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