A fire broke out late Wednesday night near Interstate 5 in the Grapevine area, prompting evacuation warnings for residents in Kern County. The Fort fire started just before 11:30 p.m. in Lebec and quickly spread to about 220 acres by Thursday morning, with only 5% containment reported as commuters began their day.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions, including steep terrain and strong down-canyon winds, which pushed the flames northward. Fire Capt. Andrew Freeborn described the situation as tough, especially at night when visibility is low. However, as daylight broke, crews were able to use air support to drop retardant on the fire, improving their ability to combat the blaze.
The Kern County Fire Department advised drivers on I-5 to slow down and expect delays due to firefighting efforts along the roadway. At least one southbound lane of the freeway was closed as firefighters worked to contain the flames.
Around 1:30 a.m., officials issued an evacuation warning for areas south and west of the freeway, specifically targeting residents near Digier Canyon and Lebec. The warning covered those living north of Temescal Drive and Digier Road, and east of Grapevine Road.
Weather conditions at the time of the fire included temperatures around 84 degrees and wind gusts up to 16 mph. Humidity levels were about 45%, rising to 55% by 7 a.m. before dropping to 34% later in the day.
Jeremy Ruiz, a public information officer for the fire department, noted that wildfires are common in this region, often sparked by vehicles or other human activity. He emphasized the importance of being cautious when traveling through areas prone to fires.
As the day progressed, fire behavior improved, allowing crews to take a more aggressive approach to containment. The community is urged to stay alert and follow evacuation warnings as the situation develops.