Danny Fire in Gorman shuts down 5 Freeway and triggers evacuations
The fast-moving blaze grew from 10 acres to 150 acres in just over an hour, blocking all lanes of the major mountain pass.
A fast-moving brush fire near Gorman has shut down Interstate 5 in both directions through the Grapevine and triggered urgent evacuation orders for nearby residents.
Named the Danny Fire, the blaze broke out on Thursday afternoon, growing from a small spot fire into a 150-acre inferno in just over an hour.
The fire was first reported at around 4:50 p.m. near the intersection of Interstate 5 and Smokey Bear Road, according to Cal Fire. Firefighters arriving at the scene initially estimated the flames covered between five and 10 acres. Driven by dry conditions, the fire expanded to 104 acres by 5:30 p.m., before swelling to 150 acres by 6:00 p.m.
How the Danny Fire affected the 5 Freeway
The rapid spread of the fire forced authorities to implement a hard closure on both the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 5. The closure has halted traffic through the Grapevine, a vital mountain pass that connects Southern California with the Central Valley. The highway is a major transit artery, meaning the shutdown quickly caused severe traffic backlogs.
As of Thursday evening, transportation officials had not given a firm timeline for when the entire freeway would fully reopen, though authorities said they hoped to clear and reopen two northbound lanes relatively quickly to help ease the gridlock.
Evacuation areas and emergency response
With the flames spreading close to residential areas, emergency management officials issued an immediate evacuation order alongside several evacuation warnings for the surrounding Gorman area. Residents in the threatened zones have been urged to leave immediately or prepare for potential displacement as wind and terrain continue to influence the fire's path.
Local authorities have made interactive maps available to help residents identify whether their homes fall within the mandatory evacuation or warning zones.
Ground crews and water-dropping aircraft have descended on the area to halt the fire's progress. Cal Fire officials confirmed that additional firefighting resources have been requested from neighbouring regions to help battle the blaze, which remains active. The Grapevine pass is notorious for strong winds and steep, rugged terrain, which can quickly turn a roadside grass fire into a major wildfire. These conditions frequently complicate firefighting efforts and make highway closures necessary for the safety of motorists.
No injuries or destroyed structures have been reported so far, but the situation remains fluid as crews continue their containment efforts.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fire size | 150 acres | Cal Fire |
| Time reported | 4:50 p.m. on Thursday | Cal Fire |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Gorman | The unincorporated community in northwestern Los Angeles County where the fire broke out. |
| Cal Fire | The state forestry and fire protection agency responding to the fire and providing official updates. |
| Interstate 5 | The major highway that was shut down in both directions due to the fire. |
| Grapevine | The mountain pass through which the 5 Freeway was closed. |
