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Tens of Thousands Evacuated as Fire Rages in Southern California Tens of Thousands Evacuated as Fire Rages in Southern California
(about 11 hours later)
A fire that was raging out of control north of San Bernardino, Calif., on Tuesday night has forced the evacuation of 82,000 residents and consumed 15,000 acres, the authorities said. A fire that was raging out of control north of San Bernardino, Calif., on Tuesday night has forced the evacuation of 82,000 residents and consumed 30,000 acres, the authorities said Wednesday.
None of the so-called Blue Cut Fire was reported to be contained Tuesday night, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Twitter. An estimated 34,500 homes were affected by the evacuation orders, the department said. Two firefighters were treated for minor injures.None of the so-called Blue Cut Fire was reported to be contained Tuesday night, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on Twitter. An estimated 34,500 homes were affected by the evacuation orders, the department said. Two firefighters were treated for minor injures.
And one official warned that it could get worse.
“We are in red flag conditions,” said Travis Mason, a spokesman with the San Bernardino National Forest Service. “I believe the acreage of fire will grow over the course of time.”
Helicopters were scooping up water, and planes were spraying flame retardant in an effort to get ahead of the fire.Helicopters were scooping up water, and planes were spraying flame retardant in an effort to get ahead of the fire.
Ten air tankers (two of them “very large”), 57 engines and 700 firefighters were on the scene, the department said.Ten air tankers (two of them “very large”), 57 engines and 700 firefighters were on the scene, the department said.
The fire started around 10:30 a.m. in the Cajon Pass, about 13 miles northwest of San Bernardino, the department reported. The fire grew from two acres to about 1,000 acres in an hour, and it was reported to have grown to 15,000 acres by Tuesday night. The fire started around 10:30 a.m. in the Cajon Pass, about 13 miles northwest of San Bernardino, the department reported. The fire grew from two acres to about 1,500 acres in about an hour, and it was reported to have grown to 30,000 acres Wednesday morning, fueled by the dry, heavy brush in the area, which has been in a drought for five years.
The fire forced the closure of a section of Interstate 15, the main highway between Southern California and Las Vegas. .
The fire forced the closure of a section of Interstate 15, the main highway between Southern California and Las Vegas. Among the buildings destroyed was the famous Summit Inn, a rest stop on the old Route 66.
At one point six firefighters became trapped by the blaze while protecting homes and helping with evacuations in the Swarthout Canyon area west of Cajon Pass, the department said.At one point six firefighters became trapped by the blaze while protecting homes and helping with evacuations in the Swarthout Canyon area west of Cajon Pass, the department said.
The firefighters, members of two San Bernardino County engine companies, were able to shelter within a nearby structure. Two had minor injuries and were treated at a hospital and released. No civilian injuries were reported.The firefighters, members of two San Bernardino County engine companies, were able to shelter within a nearby structure. Two had minor injuries and were treated at a hospital and released. No civilian injuries were reported.
“We’re seeing very aggressive fire behavior, burning through the brush,” Bob Poole, a spokesman for the United States Forest Service, said in an interview with KTLA, a Los Angeles television station. “This is difficult to get in front of this and try to corral it.”“We’re seeing very aggressive fire behavior, burning through the brush,” Bob Poole, a spokesman for the United States Forest Service, said in an interview with KTLA, a Los Angeles television station. “This is difficult to get in front of this and try to corral it.”
A combination of high winds, high temperatures and low humidity in California’s fifth year of drought made for prime wildfire conditions, Mr. Poole said. Firefighters were battling three other separate, smaller blazes in the state on Tuesday. A combination of high winds, high temperatures and low humidity in California’s fifth year of drought made for prime wildfire conditions, Mr. Poole said. Firefighters were battling other fires throughout the state, including the Soberanes fire in Monterey County that has burned almost 77,000 acres.
“It looks like it’s going to be a long night right now,” Mr. Poole said. .
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County because of the fire. That will expedite firefighting resources and help fire victims who lost important paperwork to replace it without fees or penalties.Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County because of the fire. That will expedite firefighting resources and help fire victims who lost important paperwork to replace it without fees or penalties.