Gorman, California – A fast-moving brush fire, dubbed the “Post Fire,” has scorched thousands of acres in northern Los Angeles County, forcing thousands of residents to flee and sending thick plumes of smoke across the Southern California skyline. The blaze, which ignited Saturday afternoon near Interstate 5 in Gorman, has rapidly expanded due to a combination of parched vegetation and erratic, high-velocity winds.
Rapid Growth and Evacuations The fire broke out near Hungry Valley State Park, an area popular with off-road enthusiasts. Driven by wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph, the flames jumped the freeway and moved toward the Pyramid Lake area. Within hours, the fire had consumed over 12,000 acres, with 0% containment reported by Saturday night.
Emergency management officials issued immediate mandatory evacuation orders for the Hungry Valley park and the surrounding areas. Over 1,200 people were successfully evacuated from the recreation area as the fire threatened campgrounds and infrastructure. High-tension power lines in the path of the flames have also raised concerns regarding potential regional power outages.
Firefighting Efforts and Extreme Conditions More than 400 firefighters from CAL FIRE and the Los Angeles County Fire Department are currently on the front lines. The battle is being waged on both the ground and in the air, with water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers working through the daylight hours to drop retardant and slow the fire’s southern progression.
However, the Red Flag conditions have made the aerial assault difficult. The “Grapevine” section of I-5 has seen intermittent closures and heavy smoke, creating hazardous conditions for both first responders and motorists. Officials have warned that the steep, rugged terrain makes access for ground crews particularly treacherous.
The Road Ahead Meteorologists predict that the Red Flag Warning will remain in effect through Sunday. With humidity levels dropping into the single digits and winds expected to shift, there is a significant risk that the fire could push further into the mountains toward the Castaic area.
Residents in the Santa Clarita Valley have been advised to remain on high alert and prepare “go-bags” in case evacuation orders are expanded. As the fire continues to burn out of control, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory, warning of unhealthy smoke levels across much of the region. No injuries or destroyed structures have been officially confirmed yet, but damage assessment teams are on standby.
