SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) – Fire officials say a wildfire racing through canyons east of Los Angeles has burned at least a dozen buildings, including some homes and an historic diner called the Summit Inn.
Eric Sherwin of the San Bernardino County Fire Department says the blaze, dubbed the “Blue Cut Fire” that began in the Cajon Pass continues to race in several directions. It has topped ridges in the San Bernardino Mountains and is closing in on high desert communities on the other side.
The 30,000-acre blaze has prompted evacuation orders for about 35,000 homes and 85,000 people and includes the ski resort town of Wrightwood, scattered ranches and desert communities such as Phelan.
The fire is shooting flames 80 to 100 feet high. It has closed Interstate 15, the main route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, leaving people stranded for hours.
