The blaze was reported shortly after 2:30 p.m. Monday near the northbound 5 Freeway in Castaic. Some structures were apparently in the path of the fire, which was running uphill.
The so-called Cactus Fire scorched at least 4 acres as it burned in medium fuel. Crews set up structure protection units as the flames advance.
The California Highway Patrol requested a full freeway shutdown at Lake Hughes Road at 2:43 p.m., according to their traffic information site.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for area residents, according to CHP. Possible evacuation orders were initially requested, the CHP log showed.
At about 3:30 p.m., all orders were lifted as crews reported that the fire's forward progress had been stopped.
The incident caused a major traffic backup and drivers are advised to use alternate routes. The two left lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway are expected to remain closed from Lake Hughes Road to Hasley Canyon Road, for approximately 2-3 hours to allow firefighters to mop up, according to CHP.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
City News Service contributed to this report.