Southbound Interstate 5 in rural Yolo County ground to a halt Monday afternoon after a fast-moving vegetation fire near the Dunnigan exit threw a thick column of smoke across the freeway and triggered immediate evacuation orders for nearby neighborhoods. County and state emergency crews rushed in as residents grabbed what they could, and officials shut down the highway to keep both drivers and firefighters out of harm’s way. Traffic quickly backed up along this usually quiet but agriculturally vital stretch of the county.
The California Highway Patrol’s Woodland-area office reported that both southbound lanes of I-5 were closed between County Roads 2 and 4, with a large, dark plume visible from the roadway, according to CBS Sacramento. The outlet reported that Yolo County issued an immediate evacuation for the Dunnigan zone and described the fire as a developing and active situation. Drivers were urged to stay away from the area while crews worked to get control of the flames.
Area evacuations and shelter
Yolo County’s Office of Emergency Services pushed out a GO NOW alert for residents west of I-5, drawing evacuation lines roughly from County Road 2 up to County Road 6 and stretching toward County Road 88 near the freeway, per The San Francisco Chronicle. Officials opened a temporary evacuation center at Fire Station 12 on Main Street to take in those forced from their homes. “We can see the fire from the house,” Jose Manuel Piña Ramirez told the Chronicle as he and his family packed only the essentials before heading out.
What officials said and road status
Caltrans confirmed that the closure was centered at the Dunnigan exit, just south of the Yolo-Colusa county line, and California Highway Patrol traffic logs show the vegetation fire was first reported in the early afternoon, as reported by KCRA. The station noted that multiple local law enforcement agencies and county fire crews responded to the scene. As of the latest reports, officials had not given an estimated time for when I-5 would reopen.
Traffic impacts and travel advice
With the interstate shut down, traffic was being funneled onto local roads, including County Road 99W, and drivers were warned to brace for long delays and make room for emergency vehicles, per The San Francisco Chronicle. Travelers headed through the corridor were urged to check 511 and other official channels for the latest updates before getting on the road. Authorities cautioned that conditions around vegetation fires can shift quickly and that detours could significantly extend travel times.
How to stay informed
Yolo County is urging residents to sign up for Yolo Alert and follow the Office of Emergency Services for official word on evacuation orders, changes to boundaries, and shelter locations, according to the county’s emergency guidance. For road conditions, officials recommend checking Caltrans resources or calling 511. Anyone under an evacuation order is told to leave immediately and follow instructions from law enforcement until authorities say it is safe to return.
