A rapidly spreading fire raging east of Los Angeles forced the evacuation of more than 82,000 people Tuesday as the Governor of California declared a state of emergency.
Despite the efforts of 1,250 firefighters with more on the way, none of the inferno was contained as of late Tuesday, state firefighting agency Cal Fire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff told AFP.
“We have very, very dry brush, thick fuel, it helps move it along very quickly,” she said. “It is very dangerous to the public and also to the firefighters.”
A rapidly spreading fire raging east of Los Angeles forced the evacuation of more than 82,000 people Tuesday as the governor of California declared a state of emergency.
Despite the efforts of 1,250 firefighters with more on the way, none of the inferno was contained as of late Tuesday, state firefighting agency Cal Fire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff told AFP.
“We have very, very dry brush, thick fuel, it helps move it along very quickly,” she said. “It is very dangerous to the public and also to the firefighters.”
Governor Jerry Brown declared the state of emergency for San Bernardino County, just 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, where the blaze, which has been named the Blue Cut fire, was quickly growing.
It began around 10:30 am (1730 GMT) Tuesday and had already burned 18,000 acres (more than 7,200 hectares), according to the multi-agency Inciweb information site. Around 34,500 homes were threatened.
“We have very, very dry brush, thick fuel, it helps move it along very quickly,” she said. “It is very dangerous to the public and also to the firefighters.”
Governor Jerry Brown declared the state of emergency for San Bernardino County, just 60 miles (100 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, where the blaze, which has been named the Blue Cut fire, was quickly growing.
It began around 10:30 am (1730 GMT) Tuesday and had already burned 18,000 acres (more than 7,200 hectares), according to the multi-agency Inciweb information site. Around 34,500 homes were threatened.
The inferno has already claimed one high-profile victim: the Summit Inn, a old-fashioned diner on the world-famous Route 66 that counted celebrities like Elvis Presley and Clint Eastwood among its clientele, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Two firefighters were lightly injured after being surrounded by flames. They were treated at a hospital and released, and were back on the line fighting the blaze, Inciweb said.
In addition to Lytle Creek, Lone Pine Canyon, Wrightwood and Swarthout Canyon, mandatory evacuations were ordered for Baldy Mesa, Old Cajon Road and West Cajon Valley, fire officials said.
The northbound lanes of the 15 Freeway through the Cajon Pass reopened late Wednesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The freeway, a key trucking and commuter route that connects Southern California with Nevada, was closed after the Blue Cut fire erupted. Clogged traffic and major road closures had made it difficult for residents to leave the area.
Mary Grass, 74, and her husband left their Phelan home Tuesday as smoke and flames tore through the area. After dropping their horse off at a friend’s house in Hesperia, they headed to Victorville to spend the night.
They have already seen television footage of neighbors’ residences destroyed. Just wondering about our house now,” Grass said.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
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