Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Massive Wildfire Burns Cars And Trucks On Main Route To Vegas From L.A.

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

A 2,000-acre wildfire in San Bernardino County has engulfed the Cajon Pass, creating an apocalyptic scene as cars and trucks burn on the 15 freeway.

The so-called "North Fire" started around 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon near the junction of the 15 freeway and State Route 138 and through high winds and dry conditions it spread to its current size and even jumped the freeway and set vehicles on fire.

According to KTLA, mandatory evacuations have been ordered in the Baldy Creek area. Structures in Baldy Mesa, Oak Hills and Phelan are all also under threat from the fire.

The 15 freeway, usually heavily crowded on Fridays due to people driving to Las Vegas, was closed shortly after the fire broke out and several abandoned cars and trucks have been destroyed in the flames. A boat being towed also caught on fire. According to the CHP, around 70 to 80 vehicles were abandoned on the freeway, many without their keys. Authorities are trying to clear the roadway in order to aid the firefighters.

Aerial water drops were temporarily suspended earlier this afternoon when firefighters were grounded because some jerk was flying their drone in the area. A situation they're, unfortunately, all too familiar with.

Sponsored message

Sponsored message
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today