Fire spreading in Grapevine intensifies, forcing evacuation alerts along Interstate 5 highway
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Blazin' Away on the 5 Freeway: The Fort Fire Saga
Last night, a wildfire sparked up on the west side of Interstate 5, igniting a series of events that had commuters and local residents on edge. Dubbed the Fort Fire, this blaze began in Lebec and quickly spread to 220 acres by the break of dawn, with a mere 5% contained[1].
Firefighters started battling the inferno just before 11:30 p.m., grappling with steep terrain, pitch-black conditions, and fierce winds pushing the fire northward[1]. As the morning sun rose, they were able to turn the tide, making significant progress[2].
According to Kern County Fire Department Capt. Andrew Freeborn, "Last night was a really hard fire fight for a couple reasons. This is really steep, and it's nighttime. When you're trying to hike up those conditions, it's really daunting." He added that there were "pretty significant down-canyon winds pushing the fire northward."[1]
To ensure the safety of everyone traveling through the area, the Kern County Fire Department urged drivers to slow down and drive with caution[1]. As firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, at least one southbound lane of the 5 Freeway was shut down[1].
For the residents of Digier Canyon and Lebec, an evacuation warning was issued around 1:30 a.m[1]. The boundaries of the evacuation area encompassed homes south and west of the 5 Freeway, north of Temescal Drive and Digier Road, and east of Grapevine Road[1].
Initially, the weather conditions weren't ideal. Temperatures hovered around 84 degrees, with wind gusts up to 16 miles per hour[4]. Humidity levels near the fire were low, around 45%[4]. However, as the sun began to rise, humidity gradually increased to 55%[4].
Fast forward to Thursday afternoon, and the humidity levels have dropped back down to 34%[4]. For the evening, temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s, with winds around 5 to 7 mph at the surface, and humidity levels in the mid to high 50s[4].
Though the Fort Fire has stirred up some concern, firefighters are making impressive progress. As of June 5, 2025[2], the fire is 57% contained, and forward progress has been halted[2].
Looks like these brave fighters are winning the battle against the blaze!
More to Read* ### Firefighters make significant progress on Mono County blaze that prompted evacuations* ### Wildfire season: How California is stepping up its game to prevent and fight wildfires
- The Fort Fire, a wildfire in California, had local residents on edge as it spread to 220 acres overnight on the west side of Interstate 5, with the general news reporting that only 5% of it was contained.
- Despite challenging conditions such as steep terrain, pitch-black conditions, and fierce winds, firefighters managed to make significant progress in containing the Fort Fire, with the Kern County Fire Department urging drivers to drive slowly and carefully on the 5 Freeway, where at least one southbound lane was shut down.
- As California grapples with another wildfire season, residents are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, as low humidity levels and high temperatures can exacerbate the spread of wildfires, making it crucial for firefighters to step up their efforts to prevent and fight these devastating accidents.
