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Most of the lanes of Highway 15 in Cajon Pass reopened Wednesday afternoon, September 26, after the firefighters took control of a 50-acre bushfire.
Northbound lanes reopened around 2:40 pm Three of the five southbound lanes reopened 10 minutes later.
Although most of the smoke dissipated, teams in Edison, Southern California, had yet to assess the damage to the poles that were maintaining power lines crossing the north and south tracks.
"As soon as Edison gives us the green light, we will open the highway," said California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Alvarez at around 2:30 pm.
It happened a few minutes later.
I 15 all lanes are closed at Cajon Pass NB 215 closed st Palm / Kendall avoid passage to fire # caltrans8
– Caltrans District 8 (@ Caltrans8) September 26, 2018
The lanes were closed due to poor visibility due to smoke and the need to install fire fighting equipment.
Nicknamed the Keenbrook fire, the fire was first reported just before 11 am along the highway north of Kenwood Drive, according to San Bernardino County fire officials.
All southbound lanes were closed at 11:20, according to early cogeneration reports. Shortly thereafter, northbound lanes were also closed.
The fire spread quickly and was fueled by light to medium vegetation, said Zack Mullennix of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Advisory evacuations were conducted for the Mathews Ranch and structures north of the fire, officials from the San Bernardino National Forest said on Twitter.
Mullennix said he was not aware of any mandatory evacuation.
#KeenbrookFire The public can call 909-383-5688 for more information. (Note earlier the typo on the name of the fire: Keenbrook, not Kenbrook)
– National Forest of San Bernardino (@SanBernardinoNF) September 26, 2018
Some 250 firefighters from several agencies are working to extinguish the flames. The aircraft dropped water and fireproof products into the fire zone.
Assigned Resources #SBCoFD include 7 engines, 1 hand screw, 1 bulldozer, 3 water offers and many air positions. https://t.co/aaZr1FJ3Dk
– SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) September 26, 2018
Some motorists tried to get around the closures and got stuck.
Residents in the area have reported dozens of vehicles blocking local roads. Cars and trucks took a dirt road off Lytle Creek Road and discovered there was no way out. And some big trucks could not negotiate hairpin bends.
"Unfortunately, the best thing to do in this situation is just to hold on tight," said Alvarez. "If someone stays stuck in a remote area, it may take time before they can access it. This poses a huge problem because we have very few resources. "
Confinement on the 50 acres #KeenbrookFire is currently 30%. Progress continues as teams run out, but stains and outbreaks remain a persistent challenge.
The evacuations were lifted, but Cajon Blvd. stay closed.
– National Forest of San Bernardino (@SanBernardinoNF) September 26, 2018
Evacuations were lifted around 5 pm, when the San Bernardino National Forest reported on Twitter that the fire was 30 percent contained. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Cajon Boulevard reopened at 5:15 pm
Traffic was very busy during the evening trips. Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said motorists should expect traffic to slow down late into the evening due to the backup caused by the closure of the highway. She encouraged motorists to stay away from residential roads with which they are unfamiliar.
And if traffic is too difficult, Kasinga suggested going to dinner or watching a movie to allow traffic time to decrease.
Traffic updates are available on Twitter at @ caltrans8 and on Caltrans Quickmap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov
This story is growing. Check back for updates.
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