Friday, July 17, 2015

It hasn't made it to the large incident map yet.

A helicopter drops water on vehicles burning on the 15 Freeway during the North Fire on July 17, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)

A dangerous, fast-moving wildfire spread through the Cajon Pass on Friday afternoon, jumping the 15 Freeway, burning at least 10 vehicles stopped on the pavement, and prompting mandatory evacuations in the Baldy Mesa area.

The fire started about 2:30 p.m. off the freeway just north of State Route 138 (map), prompting the closure of all southbound and northbound lanes of the 15 Freeway soon after. Responding fire crews were stuck in traffic and CHP was urging drivers to avoid the area.

The North Fire was at 500 acres about 3:45 p.m., and firefighting aircraft were temporarily grounded due to drone activity, the San Bernardino County Fire Department stated on Twitter. Within an hour, it was 2,000 acres.

How big is the effort to bring this fire under control?

A DC-10 drop Phos-chek on the North Fire on July 17, 2015. (Credit: KTLA)

I have no idea how the pilot can fly a DC-10 that low to the terrain. 

July 17, 2015 Large Fire Incidents (click here)

California is definitely a tinderbox.  People weren't prepared for this emergency. They panicked.