A white GMC pickup truck became engulfed in flames on the shoulder of the Golden State (5) Freeway in Gorman Saturday afternoon, touching off the first of two brush fires that have burned 320 acres.

At 6 p.m., Los Angeles County Fire Department officials say fire activity has decreased, and 15% of the 320-acre fire that started in the 36000 block of Quail Canyon Road — just north of a smaller initial fire — near Hungry Valley State Recreation Area is now contained by lines of cleared vegetation. Forward progress has been stopped on the left flank.

The second brush fire had grown to 70 acres by 4:20 p.m. and had the potential to spread to 200 acres within the hour due to southwest winds and dry conditions, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

It was reported about 3:30 p.m. in the 36000 block of Quail Canyon Road, just north of the initial fire and near Hungry Valley State Recreation Area. Air resources were diverted from the first brush fire to the second.

Chance of afternoon storms inland and over SoCal’s deserts and mountains. Shanna Mendiola has the forecast for Saturday, July 31, 2021.

The recreation area was evacuated, fire officials said.

Witnesses told the California Highway Patrol the pickup which started the first fire was on the right shoulder at 2:41 p.m., and reported a minute later it was fully engulfed in flames. The vehicle’s occupants were able to get out.

The flames were burning uphill in two acres with winds from the south at 15 mph, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported when it arrived.

By 3 p.m., the flames had spread to five acres and into U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction, and it was 10 acres by 4:30 p.m.

The CHP issued a Sigalert at 3:03 p.m., shutting down lanes 3 and 4 of the northbound 5 Freeway at Vista Del Lago.