500-Acre Brush Fire Burning Near I-15 In San Bernardino County
UPDATE (4:49 p.m.): Officials say the brush fire is 0 percent contained.
UPDATE (4:32 p.m.): Officials say one firefighter has been injured. Degree of injuries unknown.
VICTORVILLE (CBS) — Fire crews are fighting brush fire that has grown to more than 500 acres near the northbound Interstate 15 at the Highway 138 in San Bernardino County.
The fast-moving fire has shut down southbound lanes of I-15 in the Cajon Pass, according to Caltrans. Southbound lanes are not expected to reopen until sometime Saturday. Northbound lanes are partially open.
Officials say two people have suffered from smoke inhalation from the blaze that began around 1 p.m.
San Bernardino Sheriff's officials have evacuated 1,500 homes the Oak Hills community, according to John Miller of the U.S. Forest Service. The total evacuation area includes homes East of Caliente, South of Mesquite, West of Baldy Mesa and North of I-15. Evacuations have also been ordered for Jenny Street between Columbine and Braceo in the City of Hesperia.
An evacuation center has been established by the Red Cross at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street.
The fire is 0 percent contained.
Officials say the fire started along the freeway center divider and then jumped into the San Bernardino National Forest. It is unknown how the brush fire was started.
Cal Fire and the San Bernardino County Fire Department are assisting the Forest Service in the fight.
Fifty engines, 14 air tankers including a DC-10, four bulldozers and an unknown number of hand crews are fighting the blaze, according to San Bernardino fire officials.
USFS Public Information Line: (909) 383-5688
