
Big Bear, CA, August 17, 2016 – The Bluecut Fire started yesterday morning in the Cajon Pass near Kenwood Ave. west of Interstate 15. The Forest Service is in Unified Command with CAL FIRE, San Bernardino County Fire, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, and the California Highway Patrol. The fire is currently 30,000 acres with 1309 personnel on scene. 152 engines, 18 crews, 8 air tankers, 2 Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS), and 8 Helicopters, including night flying helicopters. Additional firefighters and equipment have been ordered and will be responding directly to the fire. A National Type 1 Incident Management Team has been requested.
There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures in the Cajon Pass, Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Oak Hills, and surrounding areas. Residents are asked to please follow the evacuation instructions, as this is a very quickly growing wildfire. An estimated 34,500 homes and 82,640 people are being affected by the evacuation warnings. Evacuations include the entire community of Wrightwood from the San Bernardino County Line to Jackson Lake, Lone Pine Canyon, Swarthout Canyon, West Cajon Valley, and Lytle Creek Canyon.
Road closures are also in effect. The South Bound 395 is closed at Joshua. Highway 138 has been closed from Interstate 15 to Highway 2. State Route 2 is closed from the LA County Line to the 138. Hwy 138 is closed between County Line and Highway 173. Old Cajon Blvd north of Devore Cutoff is closed. The road to Lone Pine Canyon is closed. Also, the 15 Northbound is closed at I-215 and the 15 Southbound is closed at Ranchero.
There is currently no threat to the Big Bear Valley. However, drift smoke may be seen and smelled as the winds pick up.