Blue Cut Fire Grows To 18,000 Acres, Homes Destroyed
DEVORE (CBSLA.com) — Evacuations numbered in the tens of thousands Tuesday night, as a San Bernardino wildfire burned out of control.
The Blue Cut Fire erupted shortly after 10:30 a.m. in the Cajon Pass near Devore. It has burned 18,000 acres.
FULL COVERAGE OF THE BLUE CUT FIRE
Mandatory evacuations were issued for residents of the Cajon Valley west of the 15 Freeway to Highway 2. Mandatory evacuations were also ordered for the entire community of Wrightwood, as well as the communities of Lytle Creek Canyon, Lone Pine Canyon and Swarthout Canyon.
A San Bernardino fire official said evacuation orders were issued for more than 34,500 homes. As many as 82,000 people were affected by those evacuation orders.
A full list of evacuations, road closures and evacuation centers is available on the US Forest Service's incident page.
At least two structures were burned, but no details were immediately available.
The historic Route 66 landmark Summit Inn in Hesperia burned.
About 750 firefighters were battling the blaze.
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency because of the fire.
The fire forced six firefighters to evacuate two fire engines and take refuge in nearby homes in the Swarthout Canyon area west of the Cajon Pass.
Two of the firefighters suffered minor injuries. They were both treated at a hospital and released. They both returned to the fire line to defend structures, San Bernardino County Fire said.
A San Bernardino County Fire engine sustained moderate fire damage.
The fire also forced a cargo train to stop mid-route for an emergency evacuation.
The 15 Freeway was closed on both sides through the Cajon Pass. Some drivers had been stuck on the freeway for seven hours by Tuesday night.
Highway 138 was closed from the 15 Freeway to Highway 2, and Highway 38 was closed to Lone Pine Canyon, authorities said.
Traffic was backed up for 20 miles on Interstate 15, with some families stuck in cars for up to seven hours.
A smoke advisory was issued for portions of the northwest and central San Bernardino Valley.
The Oro Grande School District, Victor Valley School District and Apple Valley School District canceled Wednesday classes due to air quality concerns.
This is a breaking news report. Information will be updated as it becomes available.
