A smoky brush fire near the Los Angeles-Kern County line that ballooned to 1,000 acres prompted a freeway closure and evacuations Friday afternoon.
The Ridge Fire was reported in Gorman, a community in northwestern LA County, at around 2:45 p.m. Less than two hours later, the blaze jumped the 5 Freeway, north of California State Route 138, and continued burning on both sides, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The California Highway Patrol said the 5 Freeway was shut down on the southbound side at Frazier Mountain Park Road and northbound side at Smokey Bear Road.
Authorities also issued an evacuation order and warnings for the areas surrounding the fire.
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The areas under an evacuation order (red) and warnings (yellow) just before 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026.
Aerial footage from NewsChopper4 showed thick white smoke and poor visibility in the area. Cars were seen making U-turns on the freeway due to the extensive delays.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story.