Brush fire in Cajon Pass spreads to 11 acres, threatening gas and power lines
A brush fire that broke out in the Cajon Pass late Tuesday morning has burned about 11 acres, threatening nearby utility lines and forcing road closures.
The blaze — dubbed the Blue fire — began burning about 11:40 a.m. off northbound Interstate 15 near Cleghorn Road, according to officials from the San Bernardino National Forest, where the blaze is located.
#BlueFire update:
⁃ 11 acres, 0% contained
⁃ Forward rate of progress stopped, held by retardant and Forest Service Road 2N47
⁃ Power and gas lines remain threatened
⁃ Approx 200 personnel assigned, including from @SBCOUNTYFIRE, @CALFIREBDU and @BLMca
(Photo at 12:08) pic.twitter.com/T7o6QrMATx— San Bernardino National Forest (@SanBernardinoNF) May 11, 2021
The fire was at 50% containment about 6 p.m., and its forward progress has been stopped in part by retardant, said Zach Behrens, spokesman for the San Bernardino National Forest. He added that it has the potential to spread to about 30 acres.
There are no reported injuries, and no structures are being threatened. But concerns remain.
"Crews are making good progress, but there are still threats to power lines and a gas pipeline," Behrens said. About 200 fire personnel are on scene, where the fire continues to smolder.
CAJON PASS—Forest Service firefighters, along with @SBCOUNTYFIRE, are responding to a fire off northbound I-15 near Cleghorn Road.
Lane closures have been requested.
More information is forthcoming. pic.twitter.com/BmuphSoepo— San Bernardino National Forest (@SanBernardinoNF) May 11, 2021
Three right northbound lanes of the freeway are closed, along with Cajon Boulevard between Kenwood Avenue and Cleghorn Road. The Cleghorn offramp and onramp are also closed.
The fire is burning toward the top of Cleghorn Mountain, away from the freeway, Behrens said.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
