The Ridge fire, a brush fire ignited in Gorman, California, erupted on Friday afternoon, swiftly expanding to encompass 1,000 acres. This rapid growth resulted in the closure of both sides of the 5 Freeway and significant traffic congestion through the Grapevine.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire was first reported at approximately 3 p.m. near the 39000 block of Gorman Post Road. Within a short span, the blaze consumed about 100 acres of brush in northwestern Los Angeles County, accelerating to 1,000 acres within three hours.
Authorities issued evacuation orders around 4:45 p.m. for areas of Gorman and Hungry Valley situated west of the freeway. In addition, evacuation warnings have been extended to regions south and north of the fire, including parts of Kern County. Affected areas by evacuation orders can be accessed via a map provided by the authorities.
The National Weather Service reports south-to-southeast winds between 6 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 15 mph, influencing the fire’s trajectory. Current temperatures in the region are in the lower 90s, while humidity levels hover around 18%.
This is a developing story, and updates will be communicated as new information becomes available.