Crews working to contain 'Post Fire'
Firefighters across California are working around the clock to contain the "Post Fire," which stretched past 15,600 acres.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - A massive brush fire broke out near the community of Gorman in northern Los Angeles County Saturday afternoon, prompting evacuations. By Sunday night, the fire had spread north into Ventura County.
The Post Fire broke out just before 2 p.m. Saturday, according to Cal Fire, near the southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway, north of Gorman Road.
As of Monday, the fire burned 15,611 acres and is 20% contained, according to the 7:30 p.m. PT update from Cal Fire. One commercial property was destroyed, ten commercial properties are threatened and 50 single-family residences are threatened, officials said.
Fire crews on Monday were focused on how wind speeds would impact the direction and possible size of the blaze. Red Flag warnings will prevail across the region with wind speeds up to 50 mph expected along ridge tops.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is fighting the fire with the assistance of the Ventura County Fire Department. The blaze entered Ventura County on Sunday and consumed about 2,000 acres of wilderness in the southeastern portion of the Las Padres National Forest.
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The following advisories are in place for the area:
Evacuation Orders
Evacuation Orders are in place for areas west of Interstate 5 between Pyramid Lake and Gorman, including the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area.
Evacuation Warnings
An evacuation warning has been issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake between Old Ridge Route and the LA County line, including Paradise Ranch Estates.
Post Fire burning near Gorman
Two commercial properties were damaged and two were threatened, according to an update from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Red Flag Warning
A Red Flag warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for gusty northwest to north winds shifting to the northeast combining with low to very low relative humidity for the I-5 corridor in northwest Los Angeles County and the Ventura County mountains. A Red Flag warning is also in effect for the western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 corridor.
Road Closures
The Southbound 5 Freeway was closed Sunday night and all traffic was being rerouted to the 138 or 14 Freeways.
Smoke Advisory
The South Coast AQMD Sunday extended the Smoke Advisory prompted by the Post Fire as smoke continues to impact the Santa Clarita Valley and Castaic areas.
Northwesterly winds are expected to continue pushing smoke from the Post Fire southeast toward the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, and parts of the Angeles National Forest through Monday afternoon.
A National Weather Service Wind Advisory was in effect Sunday morning, but winds were expected to increase in strength from 9 p.m. to midnight, possibly reaching 65 mph at the ridge tops.
Air Quality Index levels were expected to reach unhealthy or higher in areas impacted by smoke.
Residents were encouraged to limit their exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or by seeking immediate shelter, avoid vigorous physical activity and run air conditioning and/or air purifiers.
In addition, it's best to avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring in outside air. Residents should also avoid burning wood in fireplaces or fire pits. And, if one absolutely must be outside, a properly fit N95 mask or P100 respirator may provide some protection.
Hesperia Fire
Firefighters were also battling a fire in Hesperia. At last check, the fire had burned 1,078 acres and is 72% contained. On Monday evening, Cal Fire said favorable weather conditions and strong work by fire personnel on the ground resulted in the increased containment.
Originally, it was reported that the fire burned 1,131 acres, but fire personnel remapped and decreased the acreage.
Evacuation warnings were in place for residents in the Arrowhead Equestrian Estates community.
Suspected cause of Hesperia fire released
Crews were making progress in a wildfire that broke out in the Hesperia area.
A road closure remains in place from the SR-138 junction to Lake Arrowhead Road as crews continue to battle the blaze. An estimated time of reopening is not known.
Large animals that need to be evacuated can be taken to Mojave River Junction in Hesperia or the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.
City News Service contributed to this report.
