Route fire in Castaic grows to 5,208 acres; I-5 partially reopens in both directions

A fast-moving brush fire in Castaic had burned through 5,208 acres by Thursday morning, Sept. 1, but firefighters had achieved 12% containment of the blaze overnight as they braced for more dry, hot conditions, authorities said.

The Route fire was reported around noon Wednesday, Aug. 31, near Lake Hughes Road and led to evacuations and a shutdown of the I-5.

The freeway reopened early Thursday, although one northbound lane and two southbound lanes remained closed, according to Caltrans. The freeway has four lanes in each direction.

I-5 Route Fire Update. I-5 between Lake Hughes Road & Templin Highway: northbound left lane closed – southbound right lane & left lane closed. Unknown duration. @CaltransDist7 Maintenance on scene. Lane closure updates at https://t.co/O37Qesrybo #RouteFire pic.twitter.com/a9wynmzKBO

— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) September 1, 2022

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Evacuation orders were still in place for all structures north of North Lake Hills Elementary School, south of Templin Highway, east of the I-5 and west of Castaic Lagoon, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

According to the American Red Cross, evacuation centers were opened Wednesday night at West Ranch High School, 26255 West Valencia Blvd. in Santa Clarita; and at Frazier Mountain High School, 700 Falcon Way in Lebec.

Temperatures were expected into the triple digits again Thursday.

The fire’s cause was under investigation.

Source: Orange County Register