Old fire in Castaic burns homes, shuts down 5 Freeway in both directions

Old fire in Castaic burns homes, shuts down 5 Freeway in both directions

by Jonah Valdez

A wildfire driven by aggressive winds burned several homes Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24, in Castaic, and forced the closure of the 5 Freeway in both directions and evacuations.

The fire began about 3:15 p.m. near Lake Hughes Road, off the 5 Freeway.

Initial reports put the fire at three acres and has since grown to five to seven acres, said Los Angeles County Fire Spokesman Marvin Lim. Heavy winds drove flames to a rapid rate of spread.

Dubbed the Old fire, the blaze burned several homes along a hillside in the area, Lim said.

Authorities closed both sides of the 5 Freeway, the California Highway Patrol said. Southbound lanes were closed at Templin Highway and northbound lanes at Hasley Canyon Road.

Evacuations were ordered for homes in the area while firefighters poured into the area.

Helicopters made water drops on the fire; the air units were pulled from the nearby Tick fire, burning more than 800 acres, 20 miles east in Agua Dulce. Several grounds crews were also sent to attack the Old fire.

“We are attacking from both ground and air,” Lim said.

All credit goes to Jonah Valdez
Originally published on https://www.dailynews.com