Calgrove fire update: Evacuations lifted; containment rises on brush fire that caused partial closure of 5 Freeway

A fast-moving brush fire temporarily shut down a section of the 5 Freeway in Santa Clarita Wednesday afternoon, as a combination of heavy brush winds, and low humidity fueled the blaze. By Wednesday night, firefighters said they had gained the upper hand on the Calgrove Fire. Residents of about 500 homes that had been evacuated were allowed to return home.

Update 10:19 p.m.: Evacuations lifted; containment rises

Fire officials said they had made gains on the fire that shut down Interstate 5 and caused about 1,000 people to evacuate their homes. 

L.A. County Fire officials said all evacuations for residences in the area were lifted as of 10 p.m. and residents were able to return to their homes. 

https://twitter.com/LACoFireAirOps/status/614177834630688768

On their Twitter account, the department said firefighters would continue to work throughout the night to fully contain the fire. 

Fire Tracker: Calgrove Fire

Update 6:50 p.m.: Residents need their 'ready-set-go' plan in case of potential evacuations, says fire chief

The fire that erupted in Santa Clarita continued to move northeast Wednesday evening, as fire teams battled the blaze in Santa Clarita that temporarily shut down all lanes of Interstate 5 earlier in the day.

More than 500 houses near the fire were being evacuated, a total of about 1,000 people.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Deputy Chief John Tripp said in a press conference that the growing fire could warrant additional evacuations.

"Anybody that's south of Calgrove and is east of Rail Road or Newhall Road, they need to have their 'ready-set-go' plan right now, meaning that they're keeping their radio on, they're keeping the media on, they're getting updates from us, they're getting updates from you," Tripp told reporters.

"We've got some decision points, that if it hits certain places, then we're gonna be doing evacuations. Right now we don't anticipate that happening, but everybody in that area should be keeping their awareness and their attention to the smoke and also to the media, because we're going to put out the message through you."

The Red Cross established an evacuation center at West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch.

Animals and livestock can be taken to William Hart Park in Newhall.

— KPCC Staff

Update 6:00 p.m.: Fire prompts evacuations in several neighborhoods

The neighborhoods of Crescent Valley and Wildwood in Santa Clarita were under evacuation orders Wednesday, as a brush fire near Interstate 5 spread to 100 acres.

Firefighter Specialist Randall Wright with the Los Angeles County Fire Department told KPCC that anything south of Calgrove Boulevard was also being evacuated.

About 500 houses were being evacuated. Residents were being taken to West Ranch High School in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch.

"We understand they do want to stay in their homes, but [evacuation] is for their safety," said Wright.

"We want to make sure they all the things they need — their pets, which are still important to us, any sort of medicines they might need, any certain important documents. When the evacuation order does come, we want people to leave early."

Wright said evacuated animals and livestock can be taken to William Hart Park in Newhall.

— KPCC staff

Update 4:30 p.m.: CHP reopens lanes on I-5 with considerable backups along nearby freeways

Southland freeways were moving at a snail's pace Wednesday due to a fire off Old Road in Santa Clarita.

All southbound and northbound lanes of the I-5 were shut down at one point. Southbound lanes were reopened Wednesday afternoon, while only lanes 1 and 2 were open northbound, CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa told KPCC.

The 210 Freeway was congested all the way to Hubbard Street, while the 405 was backed-up to the 118.

Alternate routes:

• State Route 14 northbound to Golden Valley Road, west to I-5 at Castaic Road
• State Route 14 northbound to Highway 138, west to I-5 at Frazier Park

Michelle Dahlin works at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center not far from the blaze. She says she was evacuated along with 20 to 30 employees and seniors there and could see the smoke, but not the flames.

"It's just craziness down there," she said. "It's all backed up and fire engines were trying to get around and police are trying to get around. It was a big mess when I left."

— KPCC staff

Update 2:59 p.m.: Sheriff begins evacuations of some neighborhoods. 

Sheriff's officials say they've evacuated a mobile home park near the fire, affecting about 100 people. L.A. County Fire says it has evacuated about 500 homes total.

Tweet: Sheriff's Department

California Institute of the Arts has notified students that it will be closing down its campus due to the fire. 

You can use our Fire Tracker tool to see updates on the containment and acreage of the fire here: 

Update 2:08 p.m.:  Santa Clarita brush fire causes closure of 5 Freeway

L.A. County Fire Captain Keith Mora told KNBC firefighters are working to fight the fire and provide protection for some of the homes in the area. 

"The weather, everything is primed for this, just because of the drought," he said. He asked residents nearby to stay in their homes with their windows closed.

California Highway Patrol says they've closed several lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway. They're diverting drivers to the 14 Freeway. 

The Old Road has also been closed from the Sierra Highway to to Calgrove Boulevard."These roads are closed indefinitely until we get a hold of this," CHP Officer Edgar Figueroa told KNBC.

Meanwhile, some nearby have been posting images and video online. 

This story has been updated.