July 16, 2026 10:30 PM

11 Years Ago People Running for there Life’s as a Fast Moving Brush Fire in the Cajon Pass

CAJON PASS, CA. ( Pain In The Pass) >> It was 11 years ago today a dangerous, fast-moving brush fire that spread through the Cajon Pass. This fire caused a traffic nightmare in both directions for hours.

The fast-moving brush fire was called the North Fire, flames spread fast through the Cajon Pass Friday afternoon on July 17, 2015, damaging and destroyed several homes and threatening more after jumping Interstate 15. The fire also destroyed 20 vehicles that were stopped on the freeway.

The fire started about 2:30pm location about one and a half mile after Highway 138 exit on the northbound side, prompting the closure of all southbound and northbound lanes of the 15 Freeway. The flames spread rapidly toward the Oak Hills/Phelan community with the help of 40 to 50 mph gusty winds.

Over a hundred people had to abandoned their vehicles and run for their life up on southbound lanes. 20 vehicles were destroyed and 10 were damaged when the fire jumped the freeway and burned their vehicles.

When the fire pass by, they had to tow all the burnt and abandoned vehicles off the freeway before they reopen the southbound lanes. They open two lanes by the next day.

It was reported a vehicle fire sparked the North Fire.

Also on this day also was the first day of the new traffic pattern was put in place due to Cajon Pass Repaving Project.

The fire burned 4,250 acres.

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Cajon Pass
10:30 pm, Jul 16, 2026
temperature icon 75°F
few clouds
Humidity: 51 %
Pressure: 1012 mb
Wind: 7 mph
Wind Gust: 9 mph
Clouds: 15%
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 5:48 am
Sunset: 8:01 pm
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69°/69°°F 0 mm 0% 11 mph 44% 1012 mb 0 mm/h