INCIDENT COMPLETED: Northbound I-5 at crawling speed after big rig burns north of Gorman

  • [photo by Gary Meyer, The Mountain Enterprise]

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    [photo by Gary Meyer, The Mountain Enterprise]

  • A Los Angeles County firefighter puts water on a burning tire in the center divider of I-5 just seconds before an explosion from the burning truck sent debris flying toward him. He was able to jump out of the way. [photo by Gary Meyer, The Mountain Enterprise]

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    A Los Angeles County firefighter puts water on a burning tire in the center divider of I-5 just seconds before an explosion from the burning truck sent debris flying toward him. He was able to jump out of the way. [photo by Gary Meyer, The Mountain Enterprise]

  • An L.A. County helicopter drops retardant on the fire. [photo by Gary Meyer, The Mountain Enterprise]

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    An L.A. County helicopter drops retardant on the fire. [photo by Gary Meyer, The Mountain Enterprise]

LEBEC, CA (Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 9:25 p.m.)—All lanes are now open, according to CHP-Newhall Office.

LEBEC, CA (Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 8:30 p.m.)—CHP has updated its estimate of reopening for northbound lanes to 9:30 p.m. or 10 p.m.

LEBEC, CA (Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 2:10 p.m.)—CHP reports that the towing company estimates cleanup will take until 8 or 9 p.m.

LEBEC, CA (Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 12:03 p.m.)—CHP reports that the semi was carrying a liquid mineral for growing.

LEBEC, CA (Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:54 a.m.)—One lane on the northbound side of I-5 has been opened. All southbound lanes are open.

LEBEC, CA (Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:39 a.m.)—A big rig that was northbound on Interstate 5 at 11:02 a.m., just south of Frazier Mountain Park Road, caught fire and ignited a hillside on the east side of the freeway. Flames were headed for structures at Ground Breakers near Tejon Pass Road. The brush fire appeared to be under control as northbound lanes were closed to all traffic while firefighters from Los Angeles County Fire station 77 monitored the truck fire. Several large explosions erupted from the semi’s trailer, sending wheels and other truck parts flying across the freeway. One firefighter narrowly escaped being hit by debris as he was dousing a burning tire with water in the center divider of the freeway. A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter ran several retardant drops on the hillside.

This is part of the June 11, 2021 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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