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Not much progress on LA's Post Wildfire
Firefighters are having a tough time battling the Post Fire in the steep and rugged terrain.
GORMAN, Calif. – A wind-driven wildfire burning north of Los Angeles is creating unhealthy air quality throughout Southern California after exploding in size to more than 15,000 acres over the weekend and into Monday.
The Post Fire started Saturday at 1:47 p.m. in Gorman, California, on Gorman Road and continues to burn in Los Angeles, Ventura and Alpine counties on the west side of Interstate 5. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
More than 1,000 team members from fire departments in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the U.S. Forest Service with the Los Padres National Forest are battling the fire, which has destroyed at least two structures so far and threatens about 60 structures.
(FOX Weather)
After growing to 4,400 acres on Saturday night with no containment, the fire exploded overnight Saturday and into Sunday, increasing to more than 15,610 acres by Monday afternoon, according to California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire is mostly burning in Los Angeles County, with a few hundred acres burning in Ventura County.
On Monday, L.A. County Fire Department officials said crews gained 8% containment on the fire.
Officials have issued evacuation orders west of Interstate 5 between Pyramid Lake and Gorman, which includes Hungry Valley Park.
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Fire crews keep an eye on flames from a burn out operation near Hungry Valley Road as the Post Fire continues to grow north of Pyramid Lake just west of Interstate 5. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ()
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See AlsoA punishing heat dome will only worsen. Here’s when temperatures could peak | CNNPost fire marches toward Pyramid Lake as California wildfire season intensifiesPost Fire near Gorman burns over 15,000 acres across LA, Ventura CountiesA US Forest Service firefighter sets a controlled burn as the Post Fire burns through Castaic, California, June 16, 2024. The fire has grown to 12,265 acres, and continues to move southeast of Pyramid Lake, according to the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service at Angeles National Forest. (Photo by David SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ()
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Air support drops water as the Post Fire burns through Castaic, California, June 16, 2024. (Photo by David SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ()
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A water dropping helicopter fills it's tank as efforts to fight the Post Fire continue. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ()
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The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ()
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Firefighters monitor the Post Fire near Gorman, California, US, on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Authorities evacuated at least 1,200 people Saturday as a wildfire in Los Angeles County spread over thousands of acres near a major highway and threatened nearby structures, officials said. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Getty)
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The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ()
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Flames from the Post Fire burning in Gorman, California as seen from Orwin Road. (@NINEEEv / X)
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Smoke from the Post Fire seen from Ralph’s Road overpass in Gorman, California. The fire outside of Los Angeles, California has burned more than 11,000 acres. (CaLandBird/X)
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Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and other firemen respond to the Post Fire as it burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 16, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ()
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The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024. The fire has grown to 4,400 acres, with evacuation orders in place for Gorman, Pyramid Lake and Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, according to the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service at Los Padres National Forest. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ()
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Firefighters battle the Post Fire near Gorman, California, US, on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Authorities evacuated at least 1,200 people Saturday as a wildfire in Los Angeles County spread over thousands of acres near a major highway and threatened nearby structures, officials said. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images ()
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On Orwin road fire crews battle a hot spot at the Gorman Brush Fire in northern Los Angeles County on Sunday, June 16, 2024 in Gorman, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ()
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On Orwin road fire crews battle a hot spot at the Gorman Brush Fire in northern Los Angeles County on Sunday, June 16, 2024 in Gorman, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) ()
The fire is pushing toward Hungry Valley Park, prompting the California State Park Service to evacuate about 1,200 people from the park, which is popular for all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies and dirt bikes.
Pyramid Lake is also closed because of the fire. Aerial fire teams are using water from the lake to help suppress the fire.
On Orwin road fire crews battle a hot spot at the Gorman Brush Fire in northern Los Angeles County on Sunday, June 16, 2024 in Gorman, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
An evacuation warning has been issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake between Old Ridge Route and the Los Angeles County line, including Paradise Ranch Estates. These residents should be prepared to leave.
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Firefighters face challenging conditions as strong winds are forecast to continue throughout Monday, blowing at 20 mph with stronger gusts up to 50 mph.
(FOX Weather)
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of dangerous fire conditions through early this week.
A High Wind Warning is in place for southern Ventura County and part of Santa Barbara County through Tuesday. Northwesterly wind gusts could reach 70 mph along the Interstate 5 corridor in the Ventura County mountains and Western Antelope Valley foothills.
California Department of Transportation officials are warning high-profile vehicle drivers of a Wind Advisory that includes Interstate 5 between Templin Highway and State Road 138.
Wildfires create unhealthy air
An air quality alert is in effect through Monday because of fine particle pollution from the wildfire smoke. It's possible this alert could be extended.
(FOX Weather)
People in Santa Clarita, Gorman, the Interstate 5 corridor, western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 corridor are advised to limit their time outdoors.
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According to the AirNow.gov map, air quality was degraded on Monday across Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and near the San Gabriel Mountains and is forecast to reach "unhealthy" levels.
