1,500 Homes Evacuated in Cajon Pass Fire

About 1,500 homes were evacuated in the Oak Hills neighborhood, as a wildfire in the Cajon Pass grew to 1,100 acres, according to the San Bernardino National Forest Service.

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The evacuations were in effect south of Joshua Street, east of Baldy Mesa Avenue and west of the 15 Freeway. 

An evacuation center has been set up at San Bernardino Fairgrounds, located at 14800 Seventh St. in Victorville (map). AV Fire News has posted a collection of phone numbers that may be helpful for residents/family affected by the fire.

At 10:00 p.m., the fire was still at 20 percent containment.  The next Cal Fire update was not expected until morning.

Aerial video showed the fire threatening structures in the Cajon Junction area. Witness Mike Gabriel, whose home was evacuated, said he saw three homes burning in the Oak Hills neighborhood.

At least one home was heavily damaged, two mobile homes were lost and two other structures were damaged, according to the San Bernardino National Forest Service.

One firefighter was evacuated out of the area for a medical emergency. His condition was not released. A second firefighter suffered heat exhaustion, according to the San Bernardino National Forest Service.

Despite earlier estimates from Caltrans, the 15 Freeway opened Friday evening.

"I-15 is open in both directions but closures may occur periodically due to smoke," according to the San Bernardino National Forest Service.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, said Capt. Josh Wilkins of the San Bernardino Fire Department. Wilkins said even if the fire is contained Friday evening, he expects a multi-day operation as crews battle potential hot spots.

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Crews were using at least 50 fire engines, four bulldozers, four helicopters and 14 air tankers, including a DC-10 was flown in from Sacramento to help.

The fire began about 12:43 p.m. in the center divider of the freeway at Oak Hill Road.

"As a result the southbound I-15 is closed at Oak Hill.  Drivers 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," according to Caltrans.

Jamie in Hesperia sent in this photo of the fire, just a few miles from Oak Hills. Submit your photos here, or by e-mailing isee@nbcla.com. View the full gallery here.

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