Post Fire near 5 Freeway in Gorman explodes to 14,625 acres amid Red Flag Warning
GORMAN, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters on Sunday continued their efforts to get a handle on a fast-moving brush fire that's burned thousands of acres and forced evacuations in the Gorman area of northern Los Angeles County.
The Post Fire broke out Saturday afternoon at Ralph's Ranch and Gorman School roads near the 5 Freeway. It's unclear how and where the fire started, but video from a parking lot in the area showed multiple cars burned.
The fire stood at around 5,000 acres late Saturday night, but it exploded overnight with strong winds. By Sunday evening it was estimated at 14,625 acres, with just 2% containment, according to CAL FIRE.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire, but at least two structures were damaged, according to fire officials.
More than 400 firefighters from at least seven agencies were battling the fire including units from L.A., Ventura and Kern counties, the Los Angeles Fire Department, CalFire, Los Padres Fire Protection and Angeles National Forest Fire Management.
Aircraft were working to stop the forward progress of the fire but were hampered by limited visibility, fire officials said.
Fire crews were also contending with strong winds in the area. A Red Flag Warning was issued for the 5 Freeway corridor in L.A. and Ventura county mountains until 5 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service also issued a high wind warning until 11 a.m. Monday.
The South Coast AQMD issued a Wildfire Smoke Advisory for the Santa Clarita and Castaic areas as northwesterly winds are expected to push smoke from the Post Fire southeast toward Santa Clarita, the San Fernando Valley, and parts of the Angeles National Forest through Sunday morning.
Post Fire evacuations
The blaze prompted evacuation orders for people living west of the 5 Freeway near the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, Pyramid Lake, Gorman Post Road and surrounding areas. County fire officials said about 1,200 people were evacuated from Hungry Valley park.
Additionally, evacuation warnings were issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake between Old Ridge Route and the L.A. County line, including Paradise Ranch Estates.
"We have 1,200 people evacuated, and no plans for any other evacuations at the moment," said Craig Little with Los Angeles County Fire. But this is a dynamic situation,"
"Just be ready as far as evacuations are concerned. Have all of your important items ready to go at a moment's notice."
Fire in Hesperia
Another smaller fire also continued to burn in the Hesperia area of San Bernardino County Sunday.
The blaze was first reported just after 6 p.m. near the 1800 block of Highway 173. The latest update from officials showed the fire tripled in size overnight, jumping from around 300 acres to 1,330 acres
The fire is 7% contained.
An evacuation warning was in place for homes in the Arrowhead Equestrian Estates area.
City News Service contributed to this report.
