Update: I-5 over Grapevine reopens after fast-moving wildfire forced closure
A key stretch of Interstate 5 has reopened after a fast-moving wildfire sweeping through Southern California forced highway lane closures.
“I-5 north and southbound lanes are opened at this time,” the California Highway Patrol said in a Facebook post around 7 p.m. Wednesday. “Fire crews are working very diligently to keep the fire from threatening the freeway.”
The Hughes Fire sparked around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday near Castiac, according to the Angeles National Forest.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the fire had burned more than 10,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, forcing evacuations in the area, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.
The cause of the fire was under investigation as of Thursday morning, Cal Fire said.
Caltrans previously announced the I-5 closure around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on X.
The closure was in place for about five hours.
Where was Interstate 5 closed?
On Wednesday afternoon, I-5 was closed to southbound traffic five miles south of the junction of Highway 99 and Grapevine Road in Kern County.
A high wind advisory was in effect from the border between Los Angeles and Kern counties to five miles south of the Grapevine, the California Department of Transportation said.
“Travel is not recommended for campers, trailers or permit loads,” the state road agency said at the time.
What detours can I take to avoid traffic?
Caltrans advised motorists to take two alternate routes while the I-5 closure was underway.
The agency told drivers to detour on Highway 166 toward Highway 101 heading west or Highway 58 toward Tehachapi to the east.
The routes could send trucks and other traffic headed to San Luis Obispo County.
How long will highway closure last?
As of Thursday morning, CHP said I-5 lanes were open to northbound and southbound traffic.
However, the agency warned drivers traveling through the Grapevine that lane closures could occur again.
“Be prepared with an alternate in the event north and southbound lanes have to be closed again due to the fire,” the CHP said.
This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM.
