60 Freeway Reopens While Firefighters Continue To Battle Stubborn Gilman Fire
MORENO VALLEY (CBS) — A stubborn and fast-growing blaze, now known as the Gilman Fire, prompted the closure of the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley Saturday afternoon.
As of 6 p.m., the fire consumed about 150 acres. By 8:30 p.m., the fire more than doubled in size. Firefighters say the fire has destroyed about 400 acres. They also said the blaze was about 35 percent contained.
The CHP asked to close the freeway because the fire was eating up a lot of dried vegetation and moving rapidly, according to the County Fire Department.
Nearly 120 firefighters, comprised of Cal Fire, the US Forest Service and Riverside County Fire, battled the blaze with two helicopters and two air tankers.
The fire was reported just after 4 p.m. at Gilman Springs Road.
A spokeswoman for the County Fire Department told Associated Press that the fire started to burn on both sides of the Freeway and threatened several drivers who had to be escorted to safety.
Officials tell CBS2 and KCAL9's Rachel Kim that the fire is burning in a very remote area and "no homes or structures are threatened."
Also, no injuries have been reported.
Just after 7 p.m. the WB 60 was reopened. Officials, as of 9:15 p.m., have reopened one lane of the EB 60. By 10:30, Kim reported all lanes were again open.
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