Brush fire forces evacuations

A brush fire burned 1,800 acres south of Gorman on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of about 3,000 people from a campground and recreation area and a handful of homes, officials said.

As of 8 p.m., the blaze was 30% contained, said Capt. Mike Brown of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The fire began about 2 p.m. just off southbound Interstate 5 near Gorman Post Road, Brown said, and was being attacked by water-dropping helicopters and more than 200 firefighters.

“There are about 30 homes scattered in the hills in the area, but our firefighters are there and none of the homes are in danger at this time,” Brown said at 6:30 p.m.

Campers and picnickers were evacuated from Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area as strong winds quickly spread the flames, Brown said.

Others were evacuated from a recreation area at Pyramid Lake as well as a motorcycle park. Residents from homes around Quail Canyon Road also were asked to leave, Brown said.

He said the cause of the fire was being investigated. Earlier, a vehicle was reported on fire on the side of Interstate 5.