‘North Fire’ 95 percent contained, evacuations lifted

Firefighters have reached 100 percent containment of the North Fire, which sparked on Friday in the Cajon Pass near Interstate 15and scorched 4,250 acres. Evacuation orders were lifted over the weekend for residents in the area.

The wildfire was burning near Hesperia.

Residents were requested to present an ID and enter at a checkpoint located at the intersection of Baldy Mesa Rd. and Phelan Rd.

Although evacuations have been lifted, the following forest road closures remain in effect:

Baldy Mesa OHV Staging Area
Baldy Mesa Road 3N21
Desert Front Road 3N24
Forest Road 3N55

Fire officials said in the community of Baldy Mesa seven homes, 16 outbuildings and 44 vehicles were destroyed, while one home and 4 outbuildings were damaged.

The blaze was threatening dozens of other buildings. No serious injuries were reported.

I-15 has reopened in both directions. However, Highway 138 and many other local roadways have been impacted by flash-flooding, according to officials.

The North Fire ignited around 2:30 p.m. Friday, just north of Highway 138. The fire quickly grew to 3,500 acres and jumped the freeway, according to officials in San Bernardino County.

Hundreds of cars were trapped on the freeway and many drivers left their cars to gather on the side of I-15 or move away from the billowing smoke. Firefighters dropped water and fire retardant in the area, some of which landed on vehicles trapped on the roadway.

Officials said 20 vehicles were destroyed and 10 more were damaged on I-15.

All lanes of I-15 were closed in the area until Saturday.

Mandatory evacuations were issued in Baldy Mesa for areas east of Sheep Creek Road; north of HWY 138; west of I-15 / HWY395; and south of Phelan Road.

An Evacuation Center was set up at Serrano High School, located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in the community of Phelan, according to the incident report.

Animals could be taken to the Victor Valley Fairgrounds located at 14800 7th Street in Victorville.

Once again, fire aircraft was grounded temporarily due to drones being spotted in the area. The issue of drones hindering firefighting efforts is becoming more commonplace.

Winds are blowing 20 MPH to the south.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined yet, but firefighters first responded to a report of a vehicle on fire.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department, Cal Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department handled the wildfire and evacuation orders.