Wildfire Flames Jump Freeway in California Catching Cars on Fire
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., July 17 (UPI) — A fast-moving wildfire in southern California jumped a freeway Friday setting several vehicles on fire and sending clouds of billowing black smoke into the air, fire officials said.
The so-called North Fire reached the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass between the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains Friday afternoon. It started around 2:30 p.m. local time and had consumed about 500 acres by 3:45 p.m.
Helicopters dropped fire retardant on the burning vehicles as some of the drivers looked on from the freeway’s shoulder.
Josh Wilkins with the San Bernardino County Fire Department told KTLA-TV in Los Angeles high winds between 40 and 45 mph caused the blaze to spread.
It’s not clear if anyone has been injured in the blaze.
Freeway 15 is the main route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
