GORMAN (CNS) – A fast-moving brush fire in the Gorman area near the Kern County line has scorched roughly 1,057 acres, prompted evacuation orders and warnings and forced a full closure of the heavily traveled Golden State (5) Freeway.
The Ridge Fire was initially reported at 2:40 p.m. Friday burning northeast of the 5 Freeway near Gorman School Road, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
It spread rapidly from 10 acres to roughly 100 acres by late Friday afternoon, a county fire spokeswoman confirmed to City News Service. Crews on the scene, however, estimated the fire had scorched more than 500 acres. The more than 1,000 acres were reported at 9:14 p.m. Friday, Cal Fire said.
There was no containment, and no injuries reported.
The flames quickly advanced toward the freeway, initially forcing a closure of the northbound lanes at Smokey Bear Road due to heavy smoke. The southbound lanes were subsequently closed at Frazier Mountain Park Road as the flames advanced on and eventually spotted across the freeway.
Fire crews from Los Angeles and Kern counties were battling the flames, with support from Angeles National Forest personnel. By late Friday afternoon, Ventura County had dispatched various resources, including aerial water-dropping assets, as the fire went to a third alarm.
Evacuation orders were issued in the Hungry Valley area, while warnings were issued along the freeway corridor north of State Route 138 to the Kern County line. Additional warnings were in place in Kern County.
A 24-hour American Red Cross shelter has been established at the Castaic Sports Complex Gymnasium, 31230 N. Castaic Road. Small pets are welcome.
More details and updates are available at lacounty.gov/emergency.
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