News & Columns > News Staff Member > Commuters Flee Freeway Firestorm (Final Update)

Commuters Flee Freeway Firestorm (Final Update)

By News Staff Member
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Update 4 - Tuesday 12:30 p.m.

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San Bernardino, CA —Thirty-five units from the San Bernardino City Fire Department, San Bernardino County Fire, Riverside County, CALFIRE, US Forest Service, Colton, Rialto, Loma Linda and Redlands responded to a rapidly spreading brush fire that started near the Highland Street offramp on the 215 freeway in San Bernardino yesterday. The 215 freeway was shut down in both directions and portions are still currently closed. The fire has been fully contained but crews are still on scene mopping up hot spots that are flaring up due to the strong wind gusts.

Property loss and damage is estimated at 4 to 6 million dollars and includes 3 commercial structures and a vacant residence that were a total loss. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. A total of 150 firefighters, comprising 35 Emergency Operation units, and 2 CALFIRE hand crews, fought this blaze. Medic Engine 222 (ME-222, San Bernardino City Fire) was the first unit on scene.

San Bernardino City Fire Station 222, 1201 W 9th Street. (Photo by SB City Fire.)

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Fire agencies would like to remind citizens that brush clearance around your homes is vital to assisting firefighters efforts, while attempting to protect your homes during a wildfire.

Update 3 - Tuesday 1:40 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA — The most recent reports from CHP indicate that the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 215 are closed.

According to the information currently available, the paper mill, on 3rd Ave at Highway 215, is now on fire.

CHP is emphasizing that all lanes are closed. They will not be escorting vehicles through this section of Highway 215 at this time.

Update 2 - Monday 10:20 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA — The I-10 transitions have been reopened at this time. Vehicles can now travel on northbound I-215 until they reach Inland Center Drive, where they will have to exit. Reports from the scanner indicate that a single lane of the southbound side of I-215 can be opened up with escorts.

RIMOFTHEWORLD.net has also learned that CHP units from the Arrowhead Dispatch Center responded to assist with this incident.

Update 1 - Monday 9:20 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA — The San Bernardino City Emergency Operations Center was activated at about 6:45 PM tonight for the I-215 brush fire. I-215 freeway has been closed between SR-210 and I-10 until further notice due to this wind sweep fire. There are reports of some damage to buildings adjacent to I-215. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. Citizens are encouraged to avoid the area around I-215 and to stay clear of fire fighting equipment and personnel.

There are no evacuation orders at this time.

Original story

San Bernardino, CA — At 5:12 p.m. this evening, reports began to come in to the California Highway Patrol Dispatch Center regarding a possible fire near Highway 215. From the scanner information available, the fire started at Highway 215 between Base Line Street and 5th Street. This area was quickly engulfed as the winds fed the flames and moved the fire along.

The fire required the closing of Highway 215, from Highway 210 to Base Line Street. Reports from the CHP Helicopter H80 that a storage unit was burning below Highway 215 and, at one point, people were driving the wrong way on the highway to escape the flames.

Subsequent scanner transmissions indicate that power lines were down on Highway 215. Palm trees were burning on either side of the freeway and falling into the road.

CHP units have worked diligently to attempt to clear vehicles from the highway, ahead of the fire, and are now working to clear vehicles that have been abandoned by individuals who felt too threatened by the on coming flames to stay. All vehicles have been cleared of the fire zone as of 6:52 p.m.

Earlier reports indicate this incident may have been started intentionally.

More details will follow as they become available.

See Freeway for information regarding the fire in the same general vicinity earlier today.