Less than a week after a massive wildfire shut down California's Interstate 5, the traffic artery was closed again due to heavy snow, authorities said.

Calling the move "Operation Snowflake," Caltrans wrote that I-5 will remain closed until the snow stops and the roadway is free of snow and ice.

A key stretch of Interstate 5 closed after a snowstorm swept through Southern California, Caltrans said. The California Department of Transportation closed the freeway around 12:15 a.m. Monday after snow and ice made the Grapevine impassable. “ I-5 will remain closed until the snow stops and the roadway is snow and ice-free,” Caltrans posted on X.

The Hughes fire, burning near Castaic Lake north of Santa Clarita, exploded to more than 10,000 acres of mostly brush in just a few hours. More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings.

UPDATE: Caltrans said I-5 is open in both directions between Highway 126 and Grapevine Road. The Lake Hughes Road and Parker Road off-ramps from northbound I-5 remain closed. ORIGINAL: Travelers looking to drive to Southern California through the Grapevine ...

The Hughes Fire has now burned 8,096 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties since igniting late Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire. More than 24,00 people have been ordered to evacuate due to the Hughes Fire. Another 30,000 people are in evacuation warning zones.

L.A. County's first significant storm in more than eight months has already forced the closure of I-5, unleashed mud on roadways, and closed Malibu's public schools.

Coverage of the Hughes, Sepulveda and Laguna fires in Southern California during a fourth consecutive day of red flag fire weather warnings.

The Palisades and Eaton wildfires also continue burning in the Los Angeles area, leaving parts of Southern California with devastating fire damage.

The city of Stockton will open overnight warming zones at two community centers on Monday and Tuesday. Arnold Rue Community Center at 5758 Lorraine Avenue and Stribley Community Center at 1760 East Sonora Street are open from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day.

The blaze has burned 14,021 acres near Pasadena. It is 98% contained ... Amy Graff Santa Ana winds have eased in Southern California on Tuesday morning, and the “particularly dangerous situation ...

The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena ... Several I-5 offramps in the fire zone were closed, but the interstate remained open in both directions, according to the California Highway Patrol.