California freeway lanes reopen after forced closure from wildfire

Nearly all lanes of the Interstate 5 freeway in Southern California reopened on Sunday after they were forced to close because of a nearby wildfire.

The U.S. Forest Service said firefighters were making “good progress” on the wildfire even though it was still uncontained, according to The Associated Press. Authorities used water-dropping helicopters and ground efforts to curb the fire.

The blaze broke out Saturday afternoon in the mountains near Castaic in northern Los Angeles County, according to the AP. It grew to 450 acres — equivalent to more than half a square mile — which led the California Highway Patrol to close part of the busy freeway.

Two firefighters reportedly sustained burn injuries from the fire.

The temporary closure of Interstate 5 freeway lanes comes as a number of wildfires are raging in California.

More than a dozen new blazes ignited last week.

Meanwhile, California is still dealing with the fallout from the large Caldor Fire, which wreaked havoc south of Lake Tahoe and forced residents to evacuate.

Individuals who live in the area will be allowed back on Sunday to examine the damage, the AP reported.

Most of the homes in Grizzly Flat — in addition to the school, post office, church and fire station — were destroyed in the initial days of the blaze.

Firefighters’ efforts to contain the wildfire were stymied late last week after thunderstorms slammed California from Thursday night into Friday, causing a number of lightning fires, the AP noted.

The storms unleashed light rain, which added water to the drought-stricken north, the AP reported, citing officials.

Fire officials are now warning, however, that the rain is drying up quickly and vegetation is now becoming increasingly flammable.