Local Firefighters To Help Battle 3,000-Acre Wildfire North of LA

The fire started early Wednesday afternoon and consumed 2,000 acres in about 2 1/2 hours

Cal Fire will send 75 firefighters from San Diego County to battle a 3,000-acre fire burning near Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles.

Cool temperatures and decreased wind speeds have helped firefighters gain ground on the wildfire that forced evacuations and a school closure.

Strong winds pushed the fire, which was reported at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, south and east toward the Hungry Valley State Recreation Area and Gorman Tuesday. Flames eventually spread into portions of three counties -- Kern, Ventura and Los Angeles.

The fire burned about 2,000 acres in under three hours and continued moderate spread in "very steep and hilly" throughout the afternoon. Water-dropping helicopters and air tankers helped crews slow the wildfire's advance.

No structures were threatened.

Containment was at 10 percent early Thursday after the fast-moving fire scorched trees and brush west of the 5 Freeway Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities have not determined a cause of the blaze, which was burning about 70 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, south of the Grapevine that links the metropolitan area to the Central Valley.

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