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Massive Wildfire Burns Cars And Trucks On Main Route To Vegas From L.A.
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.
Explosive growth of #NorthFire @SanBernardinoNF a combination of "alignment" of high winds, uphill slope & dry vegetation #cadrought #SoCal
— USFS Fire-California (@R5_Fire_News) July 17, 2015
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.
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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.
#Breaking:#NorthFire swallowing cars & a boat(upper left)on I-15 #CajonPass. Mandatory evacuations in #BaldyMesa area pic.twitter.com/bLOVyV3ec5
— Tena Ezzeddine (@TenaCBSLA) July 17, 2015
incredible precision by air teams working to put out fire on 15 freeway pic.twitter.com/ueQ87ZEl19
— Tara Finestone (@tarawallis) July 17, 2015
Boat, pick-up, several cars + a truck all burning on freeway right now. It looks like a horror movie. #NorthFire pic.twitter.com/3RVisLTsO5
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) July 17, 2015
WATCH #LIVE: Continuing coverage of the #NorthFire on @ABC7 Eyewitness News and http://t.co/u5lTveArpy pic.twitter.com/fBdgsqshXE
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 18, 2015
NorthFire (Update) #SBCoFD #StructureDefense group advising multiple homes involved Baldy Mesa Area pic.twitter.com/XH1p0R18GC
— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) July 17, 2015
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Fire is shooting out of a tractor-trailer on I-15 Freeway. WATCH LIVE: http://t.co/x286Jcx5rj #CajonPass #NorthFire pic.twitter.com/8rIbXrWYP5
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) July 17, 2015
DC10 just got into the firefight in Cajon Pass pic.twitter.com/Z8kP9XnnPN
— Tara Finestone (@tarawallis) July 18, 2015
PHOTOS: Brush fire erupts next to 15 Freeway in Cajon Pass http://t.co/EoFh9EddP0 pic.twitter.com/CKmU4PjoGu
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) July 17, 2015
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