Southbound Lanes on I-5 at Grapevine Reopen after Big-Rig Crash and Brush Fire

LEBEC, CA (Friday, Aug. 11, 2017 at 8:45 a.m.)—The grass fire at the base of the Grapevine on Interstate 5 was brought under 100% control just 11 p.m. Thursday night after 338 acres were burned. Kern County Fire Department crews prevented the fire from reaching the Ramada Inn hotel and from reaching south to Digier Canyon.

LEBEC, CA (Friday, Aug. 11, 2017 at 4 a.m.)—Caltrans is reporting that the southbound Interstate 5 is still reduced to 3 lanes of traffic 4.8 miles south of the SR 99 junction.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 9 p.m.)—The hazmat emergency that resulted from the collision of two big rigs that burst into flames at about 2:33 p.m. in southbound lanes of Interstate 5, south of  Grapevine Road, resulted in a 338-acre grass fire that has now been contained (see Breaking News report below). It took 76 firefighters and emergency response personnel to clean up hot asphalt leaking from one tanker.  One driver was transported for medical attention. The Kern County Fire Department reported the fire threatened the Ramada Inn at the base of the Grapevine. Aggressive attack on the fire by air and ground resources contained the fire and kept it from also threatening structures in Digier Canyon, the KCFD added.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 5:48 p.m.)—Opening of lanes 2, 3 and 4 now estimated at 11 p.m. according to CHP. Lane #1 is currently open.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 5:20 p.m.)—The brush fire at Grapevine is at about 300 acres with a moderate rate of spread and no structures threatened at this time.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 3:58 p.m.)—The #1 lane is open at this time.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 3:31 p.m.)—The #1 (southbound) fast lane may open around 3:40 p.m. according to CHP reports.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 3:31 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department has declared control of the Big Rig fire that was threatening the Ramada Inn.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 3:11 p.m.)—Guests at the Ramada Inn, Grapevine have been notified they may need to evacuate due to the fire.

LEBEC, CA (Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 at 2:47 p.m.)—Two big rigs in a collision on southbound Interstate 5 have ignited a fire now burning in the brush. All southbound lanes are closed at this time as crews deal with the collision and battle the brush fire. Traffic is being turned back at Grapevine to return to northbound lanes. The northbound #1 lane (fast lane) is also being closed to facilitate the routing of traffic back onto northbound lanes. CHP reporting that an entire tanker full of oil has been spilled onto the roadway.

This is part of the August 4, 2017 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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