Brush Fire Erupts Near 14 Freeway In Newhall; Evacuation Orders Lifted

NEWHALL (CBSLA) — A third-alarm brush fire in Newhall quickly grew to 200 acres Monday afternoon prompting temporary evacuation orders and closure of the 14 Freeway.

The Elsmere Fire erupted shortly after 2 p.m. and was burning near the freeway, according to the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station.

As of 3 p.m., the fire had grown to 200 acres and was 0% contained, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Evacuation orders were issued for residents and buildings between Dockweiler Drive and Newhall Avenue, from the 14 Freeway to Valle Del Oro. The orders were lifted as of 3:15 p.m.

An evacuation warning was also in place for the neighborhood north of Valle de Oro.

All lanes of the southbound 14 Freeway at Golden Valley were blocked, and all northbound lanes were closed at the 5 Freeway, according to California Highway Patrol.

As of 9 p.m., most lanes of the 14 Freeway had reopened, though a single lane in each direction remained closed between Placerita Canyon Road and Newhall Avenue, according to Caltrans.

Northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway remained closed at the 14 Freeway, as well as the southbound 5 transition to the northbound 14 and the northbound 5 truck route to the northbound 14, according to CHP.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was sending mutual aid to assist county firefighters.