Containment rises to 24% on the Post fire in Gorman
High winds and low humidity on Tuesday, June 18, hit the area with the wildfire, along the 5 freeway near Gorman in north Los Angeles County, that has consumed more than 15,000 acres.
Still, fire crews had made significant progress with the massive brush fire, with containment growing from 8% Monday afternoon to 24%.
Containment is the percentage of the fire’s border that officials project won’t be breached by flames.
Post fire in Gorman nearing Pyramid Lake; Inland fires reported well in hand
The blaze is being battled by a unified command that includes the U.S. Forest Service, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Ventura County Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other police agencies were providing support.
Dubbed the Post fire, it has threatened some structures and prompted the evacuation of about 1,200 people from the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. The wind continued pushing the flames south toward Pyramid Lake, which was closed; street closures were in place south of Ralphs Ranch Road at Quail Lake Road.
One commercial property has been destroyed. Cal Fire reported an injury from the fire Monday night, although no details were released. Fire officials earlier had said two adults and one child suffered minor injuries and were taken by ambulances to hospitals for treatment.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Santa Clarita and Castaic areas, with northwesterly winds expected to push smoke from the fire southeast toward Santa Clarita, the San Fernando Valley and parts of the Angeles National Forest. People were advised to limit exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed, and to avoid vigorous physical activity and to run air conditioners or air purifiers.
“It’s best to avoid using swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air,” the agency said.
The Post fire started at about 1:45 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Ralph’s Ranch and Gorman School roads, near the 5 Freeway, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Craig Little said.
It quickly grew, to 2,000 acres by 4:45 p.m. and then to 4,400 acres by 7:15 p.m. By midnight Saturday, it had reached 10,504 acres.
The cause of the fire was under investigation. California Highway Patrol Officer D.C. Williams told KTLA5 that the fire burned vehicles in a McDonald’s parking lot and at a nearby auto body shop.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.