Cars ablaze as 3,500-acre California brush fire swallows freeway ...

[mabar]

I heard it at the radio news, once I got home, turn the TV to see what was about ... the TV news says that the fire grew fast due to the winds, but ... hmm, images from the fire seems to me not due to just wind or it was a very strong wind for the vehicles been cought on fire.

A rapidly growing 3,500-acre brush fire near San Bernardino, California has blocked a freeway and set multiple cars on fire. Five homes have been burned and 50 are in danger, fire officials said.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department has declared a "mass casualty incident" and hundreds of firefighters have been dispatched to battle the blaze.

It's unclear how many may be injured, but the fire department stated that it is preparing to handle "multiple civilian burn victims."

The fire originally grew from a small brush fire into one that engulfed a section of Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass. Multiple cars could be seen burning.

The fire department issued mandatory evacuation orders in Baldy Mesa: east of Sheep Creek Road, south of Phelan Road, and west of Route 395 and Interstate 15.

Some 70-80 vehicles were abandoned on the freeway, fire officials said.

Almost two-dozen fire engines have been dispatched to combat the flames, as well as three helicopters, two crews and one air attack plane, according to data supplied by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Local media caught officials dumping water onto vehicles from the air.

The fire department warned commuters not to leave their cars since falling water could cause serious injury.

Additionally, fire officials said five homes have been burned and another 50 are in immediate danger.

'North Fire' grows to 2,000 acres, shuts down I-15 near Hesperia
Multiple vehicles caught fire on freeway as traffic halted

HESPERIA, Calif. -
A fast-spreading wildfire has shut down a portion of the I-15 freeway near Hesperia and several vehicles caught fire as traffic halted.

The 'North Fire' is burning in the Cajon Pass. It ignited around 2:30 p.m. Friday, just north of Highway 138. The fire quickly grew to 3,500 acres and jumped the freeway, according to officials in San Bernardino County.

Hundred of cars are trapped on the freeway and many drivers have left their cars to gather on the side of I-15 or move away from the billowing smoke. Firefighters are dropping water and fire retardant in the area, some of which has landed on vehicles trapped on the roadway.

Officials said 20 vehicles were destroyed and 10 more were damaged.

Northbound and southbound lanes of I-15 were both closed in the area, but two lanes were reopened around 5:40 p.m., which may be a good sign.

Mandatory evacuations have been issued in Baldy Mesa for areas east of Sheep Creek Road; north of HWY 138; west of I-15 / HWY395; and south of Phelan Road.


An Evacuation Center has been set up at Serrano High School, located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in the community of Phelan, according to the incident report.

Once again, fire aircraft was grounded temporarily due to drones being spotted in the area. The issue of drones hindering firefighting efforts is becoming more commonplace.

Winds are blowing 20 MPH to the south.

The cause of the fire hasn't been determined yet, but firefighters first responded to a report of a vehicle on fire. The San Bernardino County Fire Department, Cal Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department are all on scene.

Commuters on I-15 are being told to avoid the area because there will be heavy delays.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will continue to track the progress of the North Fire and we'll post updates as soon as they're available.

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There is an image from News10 _https://twitter.com/News10_CA, in which is seen from above the highway and the path of the fire, that to me seems to be ignited by something else, for people to be caught that way, though.

I hope -as some news say- people were able to got away.