<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1p380Y_1E2ubtJP00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1p380Y_1E2ubtJP00" width="1000" height="667" ><figcaption>Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / kckate16</figcaption></figure>A fast-moving brush fire near Gorman in northern Los Angeles County forced closures on Interstate 5 Friday as firefighters worked to slow the blaze.The fire, known as the Ridge Fire, was first reported at approximately 3:02 p.m. and expanded rapidly throughout the afternoon.By 3:41 p.m., the fire had grown to roughly 100 acres. Less than two hours later, authorities estimated that the blaze had expanded to approximately 1,000 acres.The rapid growth prompted officials to close portions of I-5, a major highway connecting Southern California with destinations throughout Central and Northern California.Smoke from the fire was visible across the surrounding hillsides, with cameras operated by ALERTCalifornia and UC San Diego capturing large plumes rising above the area.<h2>I-5 closures disrupt major travel route</h2>The Ridge Fire created significant traffic problems along I-5 as flames moved near and across the highway.The Los Angeles County Fire Department initially requested a closure of the northbound lanes between Vista Del Lago Road and Smokey Bear Road.As the fire developed, authorities also closed the southbound lanes.Southbound traffic was turned around near Frazier Mountain Park Road while crews worked in the area.By 7:15 p.m., the southbound lanes had reopened, allowing traffic to resume in that direction.The status of the northbound lanes remained uncertain Friday evening.The closures affected a major transportation corridor used by drivers traveling between <a href="https://rollingout.com/2026/07/31/los-angeles-falls-behind-on-speed-camera/">Los Angeles</a> and communities farther north.Motorists traveling through the area were urged to prepare for delays and monitor official updates before entering the affected section of the highway.<h2>Evacuation order issued in Hungry Valley</h2>The fire also prompted evacuation action after flames crossed I-5.According to Cal Fire, an evacuation order was issued for part of Hungry Valley.Authorities also issued <a href="https://rollingout.com/2026/08/07/bend-oregon-forest-fire-evacuations/">evacuation</a> warnings in areas of Los Angeles and Kern counties as the fire continued spreading.The affected Los Angeles County zones included GOR-E001-A and GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY-A.In Kern County, the KRN-545 zone was included in the evacuation warning area.Residents and people near the affected areas were urged to prepare to leave if conditions worsened.Officials encouraged those who might require additional time to evacuate to consider leaving early rather than waiting for an emergency order.<h2>Firefighters work as smoke fills the area</h2>The Ridge Fire’s rapid growth created difficult conditions for firefighters working to control the blaze.Large smoke plumes could be seen covering portions of the hills surrounding the fire. The exact cause of the fire had not been released in the information available Friday evening.Authorities also had not immediately confirmed whether structures had been damaged or threatened. No injuries had been reported at the time of the initial update.Those details could change as firefighters gain better access to the affected areas and assess the fire’s impact.The evacuation measures indicate that officials were taking the potential threat seriously as the blaze moved through the region.<h2>Highway and evacuation updates remain important</h2>Because I-5 is such a heavily traveled route, the fire could affect drivers well beyond the immediate Gorman area.The highway serves as a key connection between Los Angeles and communities throughout California, making closures particularly disruptive for commuters, commercial traffic and long distance travelers.Drivers approaching the area should be prepared for changing conditions, including additional closures or traffic restrictions if the fire shifts.Residents in evacuation warning zones should also monitor instructions from local authorities and be prepared to leave if an evacuation order is issued.The fire’s rapid expansion from approximately 100 acres to about 1,000 acres in a matter of hours highlights how quickly conditions can change during a brush fire.<h2>What happens next</h2>Fire crews are continuing efforts to contain the Ridge Fire while authorities assess the situation around Gorman and Hungry Valley.The southbound portion of I-5 reopened Friday evening, but the northbound lanes remained closed with no immediate reopening time announced.Officials are also continuing to monitor evacuation areas in <a href="https://lacity.gov/">Los Angeles</a> and Kern counties.Residents and travelers should continue checking official updates for changes to evacuation zones, highway closures and other safety instructions.The Ridge Fire remains an active incident, and conditions could change as firefighters work to slow its spread.</div></body>

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A fast-moving brush fire near Gorman in northern Los Angeles County forced closures on Interstate 5 Friday as firefighters worked to slow the blaze. The fire, known as the Ridge Fire, was first reported at approximately 3:02 p.m. and expanded rapidly throughout the afternoon. By 3:41 p.m., the fire had...

Ridge Fire triggers evacuation warnings across 2 counties

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A fast-moving brush fire near Gorman in northern Los Angeles County forced closures on Interstate 5 Friday as firefighters worked to slow the blaze. The fi

Ridge Fire triggers evacuation warnings across 2 counties

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