Weeklong wildfire in north LA County 76% contained

The now weeklong wildfire near Gorman in north Los Angeles County is 76% contained, state fire officials reported Saturday.

The Post Fire held at 15,690 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

The blaze erupted around 2 p.m. June 15, prompting 1,200 people to evacuate from the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area.

One fire-related injury occurred, but officials provided no details.

Two structures were destroyed in the blaze, and one was damaged. Officials did not specify whether the buildings were commercial or residential.

Hot and dry weather was forecast through this weekend, with temperatures in parts of Southern California expected in the 90s and possible triple-digits. On Sunday, there is a slight chance of thunderstorms over the burn area.

Firefighters focused on safeguarding infrastructure and recreation areas in the fire footprint, as well as finding and addressing pockets of fire and heat within inner parts of the fire-ravaged area, along roads and Intestate 5, officials said.

As of Saturday morning, evacuation orders remained for the area south of Gorman Post Road, west of the 5 Freeway, east of the LA County line and north of Pyramid Lake. Evacuation warnings were in place for south of Pyramid Lake, west of the 5 Freeway, east of the county line and north of Templin Highway.

Personnel from the the U.S. Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department are battling the wildfire. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California State Park Services, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, Cal Fire and California Highway Patrol provided support for the firefighting effort.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Santa Clarita and Castaic areas. Winds from the northwest were expected to move the fire’s smoke southeastward toward Santa Clarita, the San Fernando Valley and Angeles National Forest areas.

The SCAQMD advised area residents to limit smoke exposure by staying inside with windows and doors closed or by seeking immediate shelter. Officials also said residents should avoid vigorous physical activity and use air conditioners or air purifiers.

The agency also suggested avoiding the use of swamp coolers or fans that bring outside air into a residence, and residents should not burn wood in fireplaces or fireits.

If people must be outdoors, a properly fitted N95 mask or P100 respirator may provide protection, officials said.

The Post Fire started at Ralph’s Ranch and Gorman School roads, near the 5 Freeway, LA County Fire Department spokesman Craig Little told City News Service.

Approximately 1,250 personnel were involved in the firefighting effort, according to Cal Fire.

Authorities were investigating to determine the fire’s cause.

Updated information about the Post Fire is at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/6/15/post-fire.