Ridge Fire in Gorman Expands Rapidly, Disrupts Major Freeway

A brush fire ignited near Gorman on Friday afternoon has swiftly grown to over 1,000 acres, resulting in shutdowns of both sides of the 5 Freeway. The incident has caused significant traffic congestion through the Grapevine area.

Known as the Ridge fire, it was reported around 3 p.m. close to the 39000 block of Gorman Post Road. Initially, it affected about 100 acres of brush in northwestern Los Angeles County. In less than three hours, the blaze expanded considerably, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

By 4:45 p.m., the fast-spreading fire had crossed the 5 Freeway, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for regions in Gorman and Hungry Valley west of the freeway. Evacuation warnings extend to areas both south and north of the blaze, as well as in the nearby area of Kern County. A detailed map of the affected regions is available online.

The National Weather Service reports winds blowing from the south-southeast at 6 to 10 mph, with gusts reaching up to 15 mph at the fire site. Temperatures are in the lower 90s with humidity levels around 18%.

This is an ongoing situation and updates will follow as new information becomes available.