8 Year Ago Today the Blue Cut Fire Closed the Cajon Pass and I-15

CAJON PASS, CA (Pain In The Pass) >> It was 8 years ago today. What were you on this day?

The Blue Cut Fire was a devastating brush fire that started in the middle of the Cajon Pass on Tuesday August 16, 2016, at 10:36 am. The fire started on the Blue Cut hiking trail in the San Bernardino National Forest just above Cajon Blvd/old Route 66 just west of Interstate 15.

Blue Cut Fire Timeline:

• The fast-moving blaze forced over 82,000 people to evacuate from the cities/towns of Phelan, Oak Hills, Lytle Creek, Hesperia, and Wrightwood area. Evacuate started at 12 noon. California Highway Patrol and Caltrans closed Interstate 15 both directions, the fire was at 1,000+ acres at the time.
• At 3 pm, the fire had spread northwest toward Highway 138 to over 6,000 acres due to gusty winds.
• Around 4pm the fire jump Highway 138 in Phelan started to burn homes and businesses due to 30+mph gusty winds. The fire was over 7,000 +acres at that time.
• At 9pm the fire exploded to 15,000 acres due to 30+ mph wind gust in the evening.
• At 11pm fire was 18,000 acres.
• Wednesday fire grew to 30,000 acres, 0% contained. I-15 and Hwy 138 still closed.
• Thursday the fire was 31,600 acres and 20% contained. Interstate 15 was back open. Highway 138 was still closed.
• Saturday Highway 138 was reopened and the fire was 60% contained.
• Fire officials declared that the Blue Cut fire was fully contained on Tuesday, August 23. The fire destroyed 105 homes, 213 other structures, and burn 37,020 acres.

The Blue Cut Fire cause was undetermined, but probably started by a person.

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