7 Firefighters Injured In Explosive Brush Fire; 5 Freeway Shut Down

CASTAIC, CA — A fast-moving brush fire broke out alongside the Golden State (5) Freeway in the Castaic area Wednesday, forcing the freeway's shutdown, injuring several firefighters and prompting evacuations.

The blaze dubbed the Route 5 Fire broke out amid searing temperatures and quickly spread to roughly 4,625 acres acres. 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.

First reported near the northbound 5 Freeway near Lake Hughes Road at about noon, the blaze prompted shelter-in place orders for Northlake Hills Elementary School staff and students while air and ground crews attempted to stop the spread of the fire.

Shortly after 1 p.m., the northbound 5 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.

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The California Highway Patrol issued a Sigalert, warning drivers to avoid the area.

Evacuations have been ordered for all residents of the Paradise mobile home park and all structures south of Templin Highway along Upper Ridge Route Road.

Evacuations have also been ordered for structures north of Lake Hughes Road east of the Golden Station (5) Freeway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's officials said residents are being told to evacuate to the north to escape the flames.

Along with Los Angeles County Fire Department ground crews, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were dispatched to the scene in hopes of halting the progress of the fast-moving fire.

In addition to the flames, firefighters are battling 108-degree heat in Castaic as well as low humidity, according to the National Weather Service. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for the region through Labor Day.

City News Service contributed to this report.