LOS ANGELES: A rare summer storm helped firefighters advance on a wildfire that swept across a California highway, torching vehicles and sending people running for their lives before it burned property in a desert town.
Light rain and moist air dampened the blaze Saturday in the mountainous Cajon Pass 55 miles (88 km) northeast of Los Angeles, the main route connecting Southern California and Las Vegas.
“The weather really helped,” US Forest Service spokesman Travis Mason said.
The fire Friday afternoon began below the elevated lanes of Interstate 15. Pushed by 40 mph (64 kph) winds, it raced up a hill and onto the traffic-clogged freeway, trapping hundreds of people amid a cauldron of smoke, flames and ash. Drivers and passengers abandoned their cars as flames hopscotched down the freeway, destroying 20 vehicles, several of which exploded in fireballs.
“You could hear the explosions from people’s vehicle tires popping from the heat,” said Lance Andrade, a 29-year-old railroad conductor caught in the traffic jam just as the fire jumped the freeway. “You could hear crackling. Smoke was coming in every direction. You could feel the heat. We just waited it out and prayed to God.”
As firefighters gained control of the freeway, the flames spread to the rural community of Baldy Mesa, destroying three homes and 44 vehicles and forcing residents to flee. Evacuation orders were lifted Saturday afternoon.
In all, the fire burned about 8.5 square miles (22 square km).
California is in the midst of severe drought and wildfires are common but it’s very unusual to have vehicles on a highway caught in the flames.
Rain calms California fire that jumped highway, burned cars
Rain calms California fire that jumped highway, burned cars
