Cajon Pass Fire Burns 350 Acres
Mary Parks
One home was destroyed. NBC4's Mary Parks reports from the scene.
Fire crews gained the upper hand on two fires that burned more than 350 acres, damaged structures and forced the closure of a freeway in the Cajon Pass.
Firefighters continued Tuesday to battle the fires, which forced several residents from their homes near the 15 Freeway in the Cajon Pass. The larger of the fires -- the 350-acre Ken fire near the 15 Freeway at Kenwood Road -- was 60-percent contained Tuesday afternoon.
Crews made good progress on the fire and are finishing the containment lines, the U.S. Forrest Service said. Full containment is expected sometime around 7:00 p.m.
However, the temperature could hit 97 degrees Tuesday with winds gusting to 20 mph so "the potential for fire spread is there," U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller said.
The fire department ordered the evacuation of Mathews Ranch as flames threatened several structures. The fire destroyed a home, two cargo containers and three small structures and snarled traffic on Interstate 15 in Cajon Pass.
At one point, more than 600 personnel along with water dropping tankers and helicopters battled the blazes.
The two fires broke out about 1 p.m. Monday at Cleghorn and I-15. 1 A firefighter was treated for a knee injury and another for heat exhaustion, Miller said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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