Saddleridge Fire in Los Angeles shuts down major highways

The Saddleridge Fire in Los Angeles has forced residents to evacuate. Meanwhile, several nearby highways have been shut down, including Interstate 5.

On Thursday, Oct. 10, a fire began burning near San Fernando, Calif., near I-5 and I-210. By Friday morning, the wildfire dubbed the Saddleridge Fire had ballooned to nearly 5,000 acres.

As of noon local time, the following closures were in place:

• Interstate 5 southbound at Calgrove Blvd.
• Interstate 5 northbound at Route 118.
• State Route 14 southbound at Newhall.
• Interstate 210 westbound at Route 118.
• Interstate 405 northbound at Route 118.
• State Route 118 eastbound connector to I-210 westbound.
• State Route 118 eastbound connector to I-405 northbound.

Traveling between Northern Calif. and Southern Calif. today? Be advised I-5 is CLOSED in both directions in northern LA due to #SaddleridgeFire. Detours include US 101 or I-15 @CaltransD4 @CaltransD5 @CaltransDist6 @Caltrans8 @CaltransOC @CaltransDist10 @SDCaltrans pic.twitter.com/Z1N3S8N7pf

— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) October 11, 2019

According the California Highway Patrol, alternate routes are available to avoid the Saddleridge Fire.

If coming from the Santa Clarita Valley, motorists can take state Route 126 westbound all the way across to U.S. Route 101 southbound. Reverse those directions if coming from the opposite end. Motorists can also go all the way to I-15 and proceed north or south from there.

During a press conference, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said the department received a call of a brush fire near I-210 and Yarnell Street in Sylmar at approximately 9 p.m. Thursday.

Since then, the Saddleridge Fire has moved at a rate of 800 acres per hours. As of noon local time on Friday, the fire was at 4,700 acres and 0% containment. Approximately 1,000 firefighters and 250 police officers were on the scene.

At least 25 homes are damaged. One person died of a cardiac arrest on Thursday night. One firefighter suffered a minor eye injury.

Chief Terrazas called the Saddleridge Fire “a very dynamic fire.” He instructed people not to wait to leave. More than 20,000 homes are under a mandatory evacuation. According to Monica Rodriguez, Los Angeles councilmember representing the 7th district, several evacuation centers are at full capacity.

Los Angeles has been under red flag conditions for at least the past few days. Sustained winds of 20-25 mph and gusts at 50 mph has made the fire easier to spread.