Southern California Fires Present Challenges To Truckers

by Jake Tully - Published: 12/06/2017

As multiple fires across Southern California rage on with minimal containment, many experts in the commercial transportation field report concern about closures of freeways and growing evacuation areas in the wake of the wildfire.

In the most recent development of the fires, the Los Angeles Times among other sources reports that the 405 Freeway was closed in part near the historic Getty Center near West Los Angeles.

A major artery of the Southern California highway system, the 405 Freeway was not the only roadway that saw partial closure as the fire raged on, as the 210 Freeway near the San Fernando Valley was closed in part on Tuesday afternoon, as was part of the 118 freeway that connects Ventura County and Los Angeles County.

Local drivers in the Northwest region of Southern California report that unexpected closures and evacuations have provided unique challenges and made it difficult to complete their trucking routes.

“I’m having to deal with keeping on time with my deliveries and keeping up to date with any announcements that might come up, it’s hard to focus,” said Ronald James, a local owner-operator who operates within the San Fernando Valley. “I’m worried that all of a sudden I’ll have to evacuate and head back to my house in Simi Valley. I’ve got a loaded schedule due to the holidays.”

At this time of writing, evacuations have been ordered in the Tujunga/Sunland region of the Greater Los Angeles area, and of the three fires that the Southern California area is facing, fire officials report little to no containment of the two at this time.