Crews make progress against brush fire that closed 5 Freeway

Firefighters made progress early Friday evening in containing a brush fire that has grown to 650 acres near Castaic.

The fire is about 35% contained and has settled down significantly, said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Tony Imbrenda.

“It’s laid down quite a bit,” he said.

Though the fire grew significantly after it was first reported about 1 p.m., it is not threatening any homes or structures. But it has caused the closure of northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway.

About 7:20 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Francisco Villalobos said the CHP hoped to open some of the lanes to traffic “within an hour.”

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-- Hector Becerra

Photo: An emergency vehicle tries to maneuver on the jammed freeway. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times