15,000-acre wildfire in north LA County 90% contained

The Post Fire near Gorman in north Los Angeles County was 90% contained as firefighters contended with triple-digit-hot temperatures over the weekend, state fire officials reported Monday.

The Post Fire has scorched 15,563 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

An evacuation warning for areas south of Gorman Post Road, west of Interstate 5, east of the LA County line and north of Pyramid Lake has been lifted, authorities said.

Pyramid Lake, parts of Los Padres National Forest northwest of the lake and the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area remain closed to the public, according to Cal Fire. Work by emergency responders may limit access to some areas, and authorities advised residents to follow all posted information and instructions by local officials.

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

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

According to Cal Fire, two structures were destroyed and one damaged. One destroyed structure was commercial, and one was a house. The fire also damaged a house.

Personnel from the the U.S. Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department were involved in 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.

Last week the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Santa Clarita and Castaic areas that extends through 5 p.m. Monday. 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.

On Monday 596 personnel were assigned to fight the Post Fire, and on Saturday 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.

Updated June 24, 2023, 12:04 p.m.