Fire near 5 Freeway in Castaic creates major traffic backup

CASTAIC, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters were able to quickly stop a brush fire burning near the 5 Freeway in Castaic, but not before it caused a major traffic backup and shelter-in-place orders issued.

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. Two lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway are currently closed in the area 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.