I-15 In SoCal Closed Indefinitely For Massive Wild Fire
Firefighters continue to battle a blaze that started yesterday in Cajon Pass, California, forcing over 80,000 people to evacuate and shutting down a stretch of I-15 until further notice.
ALERT: The I-15 freeway is currently closed between Oak Hills and Devore due to a large fire around Lytle Creek. pic.twitter.com/H3LeEnfx03
— Valley College (@valleycollege) August 16, 2016
Raging Wildfire Forces Tens Of Thousands To Evacuate
A state of emergency has been declared for the “Blue Cut Fire”, which has now torched over 30,000 acres and destroyed an untold number of homes in the San Bernadino County area. California officials have issued evacuation orders that forced 82,640 residents to flee from their homes.
Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the fire since yesterday, but as of now they say that there is no containment of the fire in the foreseeable future.
Just In – The #BlueCutFire in the Cajon Pass (San Bernardino County) is now 30,000 acres. Photo: @latimes pic.twitter.com/4k8XO3iCbo
— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) August 17, 2016
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities have arrested 40 year old Damin Pashilk, who they suspect may have started this fire and others.
Blue Cut Fire Forced Road Closures
This morning via Twitter, Caltrans announced that it will not reopen I-15 until further notice. Caltrans announced that Highway 138 remains closed “to eastbound traffic at the junction of Highway 18.” Highway 138 is also closed from the junction of Highway 2 to the junction of Highway 173 for the wildfire, according to the latest from Caltrans.
No changes to full closures from last night #BlueCutFire #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/bXbS3Gyoso
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) August 17, 2016
You can keep up with realtime I-15 road closure information from Caltrans by clicking here.
Sources:
My News LA
The Las Vegas Review-Journal
The Daily Press
The LA Times