California wildfire shuts down major roadways

Raging wildfires in California have caused the closure of major roadways, forced evacuation orders, and left residents without power for days.

On Thursday night, a wildfire dubbed the “Saddleridge” fire broke out in the Los Angeles area. By Friday morning, the fire spread to 4,600 acres and forced the closures of several major roadways.

According to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office issued Friday morning, the following roads are closed due to the Saddleridge fire until further notice:

I-5 is shut down in both directions between I-210 and Calgrove in Santa Clarita
I-210 is shut down in both directions between I-5 and S/R 118
S/R 14 southbound is shut down through the Newhall Pass
I-405 northbound is shutdown at S/R 118

Residents of the Santa Clarita Valley and travelers on the southbound I-5 will be diverted to S/R 126.

Shaun Butch told Fox LA about his experience driving along I-5: “Everything was engulfed in smoke and visibility was so low it was hard to drive. Everyone on the Interstate 5 north was stopped and trapped. Still was able to barely get through on the Interstate 5 north.”

Heavy traffic backups have been reported in the area.

Evacuation orders were issued for resident in 12,700 homes due to the Saddleridge fire.

Multiple other wildfires are blazing in California, including the Sandalwood fire about 70 miles east of Los Angeles and the Reche Fire in Moreno Valley.

Thousands of customers in California are entering their third day without electricity after it was cut earlier this week to try to prevent wildfires.

You can see helicopter footage of the Saddleridge fire in the video below.

You can follow CAL FIRE on Facebook for the latest information on the wildfires.