King Fire near Gorman burns nearly 600 acres; prompting brief evacuation warnings

A brush fire burning near the Gorman area along Interstate 5 erupted early Thursday morning, prompting evacuation warnings.

The blaze, dubbed the King Fire, sparked along Interstate 5 north of Smokey Bear Road between Gorman and Pyramid Lake around 1:02 a.m.

Firefighters from the Angeles National Forest and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and began working in unified command, but the fire quickly began to spread and grow.

The fire burned south towards Vista Del Lago and has grown to 591 acres and is 80% contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to the LA County Fire Department. 

Crews were working to keep the fire from crossing Interstate 5 and slowing down the southward spread throughout the week. On Sunday, firefighters said that afternoon winds were creating dust devils that could be seen by passersby. They advised that the clouds were just dust and ash, but not smoke from flames. 

The two right lanes of the northbound Interstate 5 were temporarily closed from Vista Del Lago to Smokey Bear Road, the Angeles National Forest said.

Authorities said two unoccupied RVs were destroyed at the Pyramid Lake RV Park. 

Evacuations

The Angeles National Forest issued a shelter-in-place order for the Pyramid Lake RV Park and an evacuation warning for the Paradise RV Park.

Shelter in place:

• Zone GOR -E004

Evacuation warnings:

• Zone GOR -HUNGRYVALLEY
• Zone GOR -LAC-E001
• Zone GOR -LAC-E005
• Zone CAS-PARADISERANCH

  
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Use this link to learn more about the evacuations. 

Weather near Gorman

According to officials, weather conditions near Gorman and the I-5 corridor are sunny with highs in the lower to mid-90s in lower elevations.

KCAL News Meteorologist Paul Deanno said the lack of rain and dry vegetation are playing a factor in the growth of the fire.

Capt. David Dantic, with the LA County Fire Department, said winds are currently not a concern, but northeast winds between 15 to 25 mph are expected in the evening.