The wind-driven Tick Fire prompted officials to close the 14 Freeway to commuters headed out of or into the Antelope Valley early Friday morning.
The freeway was closed northbound and southbound between Golden Valley Road in Santa Clarita and Agua Dulce Canyon Road after flames jumped the roadway about 2:30 a.m.
Video from the Sand Canyon area showed embers blowing from one side of the freeway and landing in the brush on the other side, sparking new fires around 3 a.m.
Vehicles headed southbound out of the Antelope Valley were being taken off at Escondido Canyon road and Agua Dulce Canyon Road.
Aerial video from Sky5 showed miles of backed up traffic in the southbound lanes as of 5 a.m.
The Sierra Highway alternate was also closed between Davenport and Golden Valley, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Commuters trying to get out of the Antelope Valley do have the option of heading northbound on the 14 Freeway and then taking Highway 138 eastbound to the southbound 5 Freeway.
The route is several miles longer but will avoid the fire zone and the back up.
There was no word on how long the 14 Freeway would remain closed.
Several smaller road closures were also in place due to the fire:
- North Sand Canyon Road at Highway 14
- Soledad Canyon from Whites Canyon Road
- North Whites Canyon from Soledad Canyon
- East Plum Canyon Road from Bouquet Canyon Road
- East Bouquet from Copper Hill Drive
New evacuation orders were put in place Friday morning for the Sand Canyon area from the 14 Freeway to Placerita Canyon Road.
