Blue Cut Fire Out of Control; Cajon Pass Damages 30,000 Acres, 0% Contained [Evacuation Maps, Road Closures, and Images From Space]
Blue Cut Fire still uncontrollable. Blaze forced thousands of people from their homes. Fire so huge it can be seen from space.
The Blue Cut fire in Cajon Pass is still out of control and zero percent contained. This huge San Bernardino fire, which only began Tuesday, has now scorched around 30,000 acres along the 15 Freeway. It has destroyed many homes, but the actual number is still undetermined, according to officials. There have been no reports of deaths, but officials are not taking chances as evacuations continue in most areas surrounding the fire.
More than 82,000 evacuated, evacuation centers set up
Evacuations have started since Tuesday as the fire has displaced more than 82,000 residents along the San Bernardino area. State of emergency has been ordered Gov. Jerry Brown to expedite help for people affected by the fire.
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As many as 1,300 firefighters are on the scene, as well as emergency workers. Aerial teams used helicopters to put out the fire by air, while bulldozers and men on foot contained the fire on the ground. San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mart Hartwig said that the Blue Cut Fire hit fast. He added that he has never seen anything quite like it before. The Fire Chief also said that some families may have nothing to return to, especially in Cajon Pass.
Shelters were provided for the evacuees courtesy of the Red Cross, while animal shelters opened to take in big and small pets. Animals like some 40 horses from the Blue Mountain Farms in Phelan had to be taken to evacuation centers to escape the fire.
Red flag warnings
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings that will take effect until Thursday night. The warning said that strong winds, warm temperatures, and low humidity could worsen the fire.
Hellish conditions
Television crew captured the hellish conditions along the area of the fire. Black smoke was seen everywhere, while ash rained for miles. Strong winds pushed twisting flames into the air. Images from space caught the fury of the Blue Cut fire.
Among those that were destroyed were business centers, homes, a historic restaurant, and the popular Summit Inn located in Hesperia.
Roads remain closed
Highway 138 to Lone Pine Canyon remains closed. Interstate 15, the main road that takes motorists from Southern California to Nevada, is also closed. The San Bernardino Fire Department said that they could not tell when these roads will be opened again to motorists.
Residents in Lytle Creek warned
Residents in Lytle Creek were told to brace for the fire. Evacuation orders were given, but some residents chose to watch and wait. A homeowner pledged to stay as long as she can in order to protect her log cabin, as well as other homes near her property. She kept to her promise, even if firefighters were already on the scene.
Authorities advice residents to get out while they still can. The whole community of Wrightwood West of 1-15 and west of Highway 395 and west of Summit Valley North of Bear Valley Road, as well as East of Caughlin Road were told to evacuate.
Areas such as North of 138, east of Sheep Creek, south of Phelan Road and west of Caliente, Swarthout Canyon, Lone Pine Canyon, Wes Cajon Valley, and Lytle Creek Canyon were likewise issued evacuation orders.
