A fast-moving fire that broke out Thursday near Grapevine has prompted evacuation orders and the closure of a section of Highway 5, according to authorities.
Shortly before 5 p.m., the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in a statement that its crews were responding to a 10-acre brush fire in Gorman.
At about 5:45 p.m., the department said the fire, dubbed the “Denny Fire,” prompted an evacuation order for the area roughly bounded by Old Ridge Road to the east and Interstate 5 near Bald Mountain to the west. The fire covered about 140 acres and was 7 percent contained as of about 6:45 p.m., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“Gather your family and pets and leave immediately,” the alert reads. “If you stay, your safety is at risk.”
Evacuation warnings were issued for nearby areas, including the Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area.
Sgt. The 5 Freeway was closed in both directions in Grapevine near Smokey Bear Road from about 4:30 to about 6:30 p.m., with some lanes later reopened, said Christian Stevens, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol’s Southern District.
Stevens said the closure was necessary because the smoke was affecting road visibility.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Cal Fire.