Southbound 15 Freeway to Remain Closed Overnight Due to North Fire

UPDATE @ 12:40 AM: Two southbound lanes of the 15 freeway have reopened. Traffic is very heavy.

CAJON PASS-(VVNG.com): Please be advised southbound traffic on the 15 freeway through the Cajon Pass will remain closed till tomorrow morning. The now dubbed North Fire began as a vegetation fire at about 2:33 P.M., on Friday, July 17, 2015. The wind-driven fire quickly spread , eventually jumping the southbound lanes of the 15 freeway destroying 20 vehicles and damaging 10 others.

As of 9:45 P.M., the 3,500 acre fire was up to 35% contained at one point, but now according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department it is only 5% contained.

According to reports, four homes have been destroyed as a result of the fire, dozens of homeowners and their pets have been evacuated. The evacuated area is from Sheep Creek Road north of Highway 138 and West of 1-15 at Highway 395 and South of Phelan Road. An evacuation center for residents is at Serrano High School located at 9292 Sheep Creek Road in Phelan. Animals, both large and small can be taken to the Victor Valley Fairgrounds located at 14800 7th Street in Victorville.

Three I-15 northbound lanes are currently open, but congested and the southbound 15 is closed for an unknown duration. The fire now called the “North Fire” has also hampered transit, the Victor Valley transit authority was forced to cancel transit for the Route 15 B-V Link. Those that were on the Route 15 northbound and southbound 3:00 are reported safe and were transported via bus and supervisor vans to the Victorville transit hubs in Victorville at Lorene and 7th Street.

VVTA said that Route 20 is evacuating from Wrightwood to the Victor Valley Mall, where it will stand down along with Route 21. VVTA fleet resources remain on standby for emergency service evacuations. Passengers stranded at bus stops should seek alternative transportation or call the American Red Cross in Victorville, or American Red Cross San Bernardino. Those seeking additional information concerning VVTA routing and scheduling should call VVTA Routing & Scheduling at 760-948-3030.

American Red Cross Victorville

16248 Desert Knoll Dr, Victorville, CA 92395

(760) 245-6511

American Red Cross San Bernardino

202 W Rialto Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92408

(909) 888-1481

Those with missing pets should contact local animal shelters:

Hesperia Animal Control Address 11011 Santa Fe Ave E, Hesperia, CA (760) 947-1700

Apple Valley Animal Shelter 22121 Powhatan Rd Apple Valley, CA (760) 240-7000

Victor Valley APL 21779 Zuni Rd, Apple Valley, CA (760) 247-2102

Devore Animal Shelter 19777 Shelter Way San Bernardino, CA (909) 386-9820