The Post Fire North Of L.A. Burns 14,600 Acres, Only 2% Contained As It Fouls Air Over Much Of Southern California – Update

UPDATED Sunday night: The Post Fire near the Tajon Pass and Pyramid Lake has grown to 14,600-plus acres and was just 2% contained as of late Sunday, meaning little progress had been made on that measure over the course of the day.

Winds blew the smoke throughout the San Fernando Valley and into the Westside of L.A., reducing air quality and creating a brown haze that hung across much of the region, with some reports of smoke stretching down to San Diego.

The forecast for Monday was not promising, as the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the Fort Tejon area that indicated “Very strong Northwesterly to North winds and relative humidity values of near 10 percent are forecast. The strongest winds are anticipated tonight and Monday, with sustained speeds of 25 to 35 mph, with frequent gusts near 55 mph.” L.A. County Fire said winds are expected to peak on Monday afternoon.

Per the NWS, “A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.”

The blaze was spreading south, and entered Ventura County for the first time today, scorching about 2,000 acres of wilderness in the southeastern portion of the Las Padres National Forest.

UPDATED Sunday: A Southern California wildfire has doubled in size overnight. The Post Fire, located in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles, had grown on Sunday to more than 12,000 acres with 2% containment, according to Cal Fire.

The fire had burned an auto repair shop, damaged another building, and threatened other structures to the south and west of I-5, authorities said.

The fire is located parallel to Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County, causing the freeway to briefly close on Saturday, triggering a traffic jam through the area, officials said.

More than 1,000 campers from a park near the fire have been evacuated.

The blaze started just before 2 p.m. PT on Saturday in the area. Gusty winds fanned the flames, which quickly spread.

At least two structures have been damaged by the fire, Cal Fire said. No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday. More than 300 firefighters, including air tanker crews, are battling the fire from the ground and sky, authorities said.