Fire officials are making progress in the Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino county near the Cajon Pass. After exploding to 30,000 acres in under 24 hours in the first day, by today, officials estimate its size at about 36,000 acres, and say it is 26 percent contained. And good news for the Morongo Basin—Interstate 15 has been re-opened in both directions. Northbound 15 was re-opened Wednesday night, and the southbound side re-opened Thursday about 10:45 a.m. Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for many communities near I-15, including East Oak Hills, West Oak Hills, and South Hesperia. Sheriff’s deputies arrested three people who were found at a home within the mandatory evacuation area Thursday morning. Deputies found Daniel Mervine, 27, of Jurupa, Natasha Rovinsky, 27, of Diamond Bar, and Trevor Sanchez, 29, of Riverside, attempting to leave the home with a flatbed truck. The suspects told deputies they were picking up property for a friend who lived at the home, but the homeowner told deputies he did not give anyone permission to take his property. The three suspects were taken into custody for investigation of looting and grand theft auto.
