A significant incident unfolded in Castaic as a natural gas leak prompted the complete closure of all lanes on the 5 Freeway.
In the early hours of Sunday, December 28, 2025, emergency response teams arrived at the scene to address a leak that was first detected around 4:20 p.m. on Saturday. According to Captain Brian Knight from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the leak originated from a main gas line situated just east of the southbound lanes of the freeway, near the intersection of Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest Place.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of explosions or injuries linked to this gas leak. However, due to the potential danger, authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order for residents living in the nearby vicinity.
The California Highway Patrol took immediate action by shutting down both northbound and southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway at Lake Hughes Road. Drivers heading north are being redirected to State Route 126, while those traveling south are being diverted to State Route 138.
An aerial view from AIR7 captured the situation just before 6:30 p.m., revealing extensive traffic backups stretching for miles as motorists were forced to find alternative routes.
Furthermore, a shelter-in-place advisory has been extended to several local neighborhoods, including Charley Canyon, Hillcrest, and Wayside. At this time, it remains unclear which company is responsible for the gas line in question.
Eyewitness reports have indicated that numerous residents in the Castaic area heard loud booms, with many others detecting a strong odor of gas in broader locations such as Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch, and Valencia.
This is an evolving situation, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
