A brush fire is burning early Thursday in dry vegetation alongside the Golden State (5) Freeway in Castaic.
The Route Fire has burned 5,155 acres and is 0% contained, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which reported no structures had been damaged by the flames by Wednesday night.
Evacuation orders are in effect north of Northlake Hills Elementary School, south of Templin Highway, including the Paradise Ranch Mobile Estates, east of the Golden State Freeway and west of Castaic Lagoon.
Seven county firefighters suffered heat-related injuries while battling the blaze, and five of them were taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the department. All injured firefighters were said to be in good condition Wednesday evening.
The fire was reported around noon Wednesday near Lake Hughes Road. Firefighters in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched to the scene in hopes of halting the progress of the fast-moving fire.
Shortly after 1 p.m., the northbound freeway was closed at Parker Road, just south of the fire scene, according to the California Highway Patrol. A short time later, flames jumped the northbound freeway lanes and began creeping toward the southbound lanes, prompting a closure of traffic in that direction as well.
All lanes of the northbound Golden State Freeway were reopened at 1:30 a.m. According to the CHP, two southbound lanes of the freeway reopened at 4:30 a.m.
Fire officials reported about 5:25 p.m. that the fire had grown to 600 acres, prompting authorities to issue evacuations orders. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said residents were advised to evacuate to the north to escape the flames.