A large brush fire broke out Saturday in Gorman, in northern Los Angeles County, burning at least 4,400 acres and prompting an evacuation order.
The so-called Post Fire was reported about 1:45 p.m. Saturday, burning 500 acres at Ralph’s Ranch and Gorman School roads, near the Golden State (5) Freeway, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Chris Little told City News Service.
It grew to 2,000 acres by 4:45 p.m., and 4,400 acres by 7:15 p.m. and there were no containment lines.
No injuries were reported.
Two commercial properties were damaged and two were threatened, according to an update from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The blaze was threatening structures, and about 1,200 people were ordered to leave the Hungry Valley park and campground and Gorman areas, Little said. Pyramid Lake was also closed. The fire was pushing into Hungry Valley Park and threatening the Pyramid Lake area, officials said.
The National Weather Service forecast strong winds in the fire zone to continue through Monday morning, strongest Saturday after 10 p.m. and again Sunday night, with wind gusts of 50 to 65 miles per hour and minimum humidity of 15% to 20%.
California Highway Patrol Officer D.C. Williams told KTLA5 that the fire ignited and burned vehicles in a McDonald’s parking lot and several at a nearby auto body shop. He added that wind gusts were causing the fire to repeatedly change directions.
At least 300 firefighters were on the scene, including firefighters from the Angeles National Forest, Kern and Ventura counties.
Aircraft were working to stop the forward progress of the fire but were hampered by limited visibility, fire officials said.
County firefighters also battled a much smaller brush fire that started about 12:30 p.m. at Sierra Highway and Jonnie Drive in Agua Dulce, he said. Resources were sent to both fires.
The CHP reported at 2:28 p.m. that the flames were no longer advancing. Sierra Highway was reopened in the area.
The Los Angeles Fire Department sent one of its helicopters to aid the county fire department, according to spokesman Brian Humphrey.
Roads were closed south of Ralphs Ranch road at Quail Lake Road, officials said.
Saturday’s high temperature in Gorman was 80 degrees, according to the National Weather Service, but strong winds were forecast for the northern part of the county.