Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded to a brush fire on Monday that was reported just north of Castaic.
At approximately 4:15 p.m, the fire had reached 5 acres and was spreading in light to medium fuel near Interstate 5 and Templin Highway. However, at 5 p.m., forward progress had stopped on the blaze and units announced 50% containment.
“Units on the scene said smoke was showing from Lake Hughes Road,” said Amanda Morales, a spokeswoman for the Fire Department, referencing how far away the smoke plume could be seen by responding firefighters. She added that the fire had been first reported at approximately 3:44 p.m.
California Highway Patrol officers were called to the scene after witnesses from the freeway reported that a “whole hillside” was on fire. A SigAlert was issued at 4:25 p.m. due to the brush fire, with commuter delays expected until at least 6:30 p.m.
“We have the right two lanes (the No. 3 and 4 lanes) of the southbound I-5 closed,” said Officer Josh Greengard, a spokesman for the CHP Newhall Office. “We have requested Caltrans to also assist.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel were seen blocking off through traffic on Golden State Highway, which runs along the southbound side of the I-5, at approximately 4:40 p.m.
The incident was dubbed the #CherryIC.
Both ground and air units were dispatched to the scene in order to battle the blaze, but the fixed-wing aircraft were called off within an hour of the original call, indicating that fewer units were needed to finish off extinguishing the fire.
No injuries or threatened structures had been reported as of 5 p.m.
