Brush Fire Prompts Mandatory Evacuations Near Interstate 5 In Lebec
LEBEC (CBSLA.com) — A brush fire Tuesday prompted mandatory evacuations for nearly 50 structures in the Digier Canyon area of Kern County.
Fire crews were initially dispatched to battle two blazes burning near the Fort Tejon exit on the southbound side of Interstate 5 just before 10 a.m. However, they quickly combined to become a 550-acre fire, which was 50 percent contained as of 5 p.m.
The evacuation orders for the structures along Digier Road were expected to be lifted by Tuesday night. In the meantime, an evacuation center has been set up at El Tejon School, 4337 Lebec Rd.
The California Highway Patrol closed the number four lane on the southbound side of Interstate 5 from the Lower to Upper Water Hole during the fire fight, which included 300 personnel.
