Photo By ABC7.com
Nikki Garrett Metzger
Oak Hills – A 500+ acre brush fire has threatened homes in the Oak Hills area near the top of the Cajon Pass. The CHP has now opened all but one of the lanes on the 15 freeway northbound, southbound 15 is still closed and could possibly be closed all night.
The American Red Cross has established an evacuation center at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville. The fairgrounds are also set up to handle animal evacuations.
Officials say there is a potential threat to 500kV lines 2 miles to the east of the fire. The California Utilities Emergency Association (CUEA) advises that Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas and Electric (PG and E) and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Response Centers are in standby condition.
Fire officials say the fire was first reported around 1:00pm in the center divider of the freeway right at the top of the Cajon Pass. Witnesses reported that the fire jumped the southbound lanes and raced down the hill toward homes.
CalTrans reports that I-15 south is closed from the 395 to the 138. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route or not to travel southbound until further notice to avoid lengthy delays on this get-a-way Friday.