The Los Angeles County Fire Department in Southern California is battling a fire in the Gorman area that grew to about 2,000 acres on Saturday.
The third alarm brush fire was burning near the southbound Interstate 5 and Gorman Road. The blaze was reported shortly before 2 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
The LA County Fire Department announced on X that structures were being threatened and evacuation orders were in place.
The “Post Fire” was first reported at around 1:48 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. By 3 p.m., it grew to over 500 acres. By 4:30 p.m., the fire had expanded to over 2,000 acres. By 5:45 p.m., it grew to over 3,600 acres.
Evacuations are in place near Pyramid Lake, Gorman Post Road, the Hungry Valley SVRA recreation area and surrounding communities in the Grapevine area.
The 5 Freeway has been shut down in both directions at Quail Lake and Gorman Post Road.
The fire was initially reported to be on the side of the southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway. The flames later jumped from a hillside and onto a nearby auto repair shop, destroying the building and several parked cars in the lot.
Helicopters and aircraft from several fire departments have responded to the area and are dropping water and flame retardants on the growing flames.
It’s unclear how the fire was ignited and whether any containment has been made. Authorities confirm no additional structures are being threatened so far as crews work to battle the blaze.
Local crews are also working to evacuate neighboring areas.
“They were evacuating Hungry Valley which is a big campground, especially with Father’s Day weekend, there has been a lot of people out there camping, riding their dirtbikes and quads, so State Parks is out there getting those people out and into a place of safety,” Williams said. “If you’re planning on coming up here, you may want to change your plans.”
