Firefighters from the U.S. Forest service with help from the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported progress overnight as they battled a brush fire near the Golden State (5) Freeway north of Castaic that has charred 454 acres.
“Today, aircraft and ground crews will seek opportunities to go directly at the fire and build containment,” Angeles National Forest officials said.
The Route Fire, which remains at 0% containment, was first reported around 3:55 p.m. Saturday, according to LACFD Acting Dispatch Supervisor Matt Klein.
Firefighters were battling the fire using ground and air resources, including water-dropping helicopters, Klein said.
At about 7 p.m., Angeles National Forest officials tweeted “Per the Incident Commander, we are making good progress on the fire due to an aggressive aerial and ground attack. Overnight, two helicopters from @LACoFDPIO and one from AngelesNF will be making drops.”
The blaze left two firefighters with burn injuries and was threatening structures, according to reports from the scene.
The California Highway Patrol temporarily shut down the southbound 5 Freeway at Vista Del Lago Road and northbound lanes at Templin Highway.
Just after 9 p.m., two lanes were reopened in both directions, Caltrans reported.