Ridge

Ridge Fire Report - August 10, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Ridge Fire ignited at approximately 2:43 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, near 39565 W Gorman Post Road and Interstate 5 in Gorman, located in northwestern Los Angeles County near the Kern County line.
Size and Containment: As of Monday, August 10, 2026, the fire has burned 1,134 acres and is 85% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially reported at around 100 acres, the fire burned through light to medium brush and tall grass standing 2.5 feet high. It spread rapidly, exploding to over 1,000 acres in less than three hours. The fire exhibited aggressive behavior characterized by uphill runs and short-range spotting, at one point jumping across the west side of Interstate 5.
Containment Efforts: Forward spread of the fire has been successfully stopped. Unified Command involves the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, with support from Angeles National Forest personnel. At the fire's peak, a third-alarm response deployed up to 480 personnel, 57 engines, 11 hand crews, and 11 aerial resources. Crews are currently focused on interior mop-up operations, strengthening containment lines, and extinguishing remaining hot spots. Suppression costs have reached approximately $1.2 million.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: All evacuation orders have been lifted. Initially, orders were issued for areas in Gorman and Hungry Valley west of the freeway (zones GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY-A and GOR-HUNGRYVALLEY-B).
Evacuation Warnings: All evacuation warnings have also been lifted. Previously, warnings were in place for zones GOR-E001-A in Los Angeles County and KRN-545 in Kern County.
Curfew: No curfews have been reported for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: An evacuation shelter was established by the American Red Cross at the Castaic Sports Complex Gymnasium (31230 N Castaic Road, Castaic, CA), which accepted pets. The shelter was officially closed by midday on Saturday, August 8, as evacuations were lifted.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• All road closures associated with the Ridge Fire have been lifted.
• Initially, the rapid spread of the fire forced crews to shut down both directions of Interstate 5—a key highway bridging Southern California to the Central Valley—for several hours on Friday evening, causing heavy traffic delays through the Grapevine. Old Ridge Route Road was also temporarily closed.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incident Updates
• Los Angeles County Emergency Page
• Genasys Protect Evacuation Map

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are 0 reported civilian or firefighter injuries.
Structures Impacted: There are 0 structures damaged or destroyed. Firefighters successfully protected structures despite early close calls.
School and Business Closures: No major school or business closures are currently in effect, though the fire temporarily stranded hundreds of motorists due to the sudden I-5 highway closure on Friday.
Notable Impacts: The fire significantly impacted travel and commerce along the Interstate 5 corridor through the Grapevine over the weekend.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No widespread power outages are currently reported, but residents can check with Southern California Edison for local updates.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: Residents should adhere to standard local fire restrictions and burn bans typical for the extreme summer fire season in Los Angeles County.
Air Quality: Smoke from the fire may pose health risks. Individuals experiencing severe or worsening symptoms, including difficulty breathing or chest pain, should stay indoors, keep windows closed, and seek medical attention if necessary.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment at 85% and forward progress completely stopped, firefighters expect to reach full containment soon. Crews will continue working through the week to increase containment lines, taking advantage of cooling overnight temperatures and increased humidity to put out remaining hot spots.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Extreme heat remains a primary concern for firefighters on the ground, with daytime highs reaching up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend. Overnight forecasts show cooling temperatures dropping to 71-74°F with light north-northwest winds of 3-5 mph, and occasional gusts on the ridges reaching 10-18 mph.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Ridge Fire remains under investigation.
Weather and Climate: The fire's rapid initial explosion was heavily influenced by extreme summer fire weather conditions typical of the region's climate. At the time of ignition, temperatures were in the lower 90s, combined with critically low relative humidity levels (around 18%). The rapid initial growth was fueled by south-to-southeast winds of 6 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 15 mph, and exceptionally dry, receptive brush fuels, creating an environment highly conducive to rapid and aggressive fire spread.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE's Incidents Page
• Los Angeles County Emergency Information
• Genasys Protect Evacuation Map