Firefighters are making slow progress against the Blue Cut Fire in the Cajon Pass area. Wednesday morning, the wildfire was estimated at 30,000 acres. By Thursday morning, the fire growth had slowed; fire officials estimated it at 31,689 acres and 4 percent contained. Nearly 1,600 firefighters are on scene fighting the blaze, including 10 air tankers, 2 very large air tankers, and 17 helicopters. More than 82,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders in Wrightwood, Phelan, Lytle Creek, and areas west of Interstate 15 and Highway 395. While it’s not known yet how many structures have been destroyed in the fire, the historic Summit Inn at the top of the Cajon Pass was burned to the ground. Northbound I-15 was re-opened last night, and so traffic traveling eastbound through the Morongo Basin should be lessened today.
Photos courtesy San Bernardino County Fire Department.
