The 15 Freeway reopened Wednesday afternoon after a 50-acre brush fire in the Cajon Pass forced officials to block it.
The fire erupted around 11 a.m. near Kenwood Avenue and and Cajon Boulevard, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. It was 50 percent contained as of 8:15 p.m., according to the federal information website InciWeb. An evacuation advisory for Mathews Ranch and structures north of the blaze was also lifted.
Smoke from the blaze affected the highway in the area. Aerial video from Sky5 showed traffic was backed up for miles as the smoke dissipated.
Smoke may continue to be visible later Wednesday as occasional flare ups occur, fire officials said.
At 2:41 p.m., Caltrans said the 15 Freeway has been reopened in both directions, but later clarified that the two right southbound lanes remained closed. The 215 was also cleared.
Old Cajon Boulevard between Cleghorn Road and Kenwood Avenue remained shut down as firefighters continued work in the area.
Some 250 personnel were assigned to the incident, InciWeb said.
I-15 and I-215 in the #KeenbrookFire area are now open with the exception of the two right hand SB lanes on I-15. Visit https://t.co/ysIjNQ5BAU for real time traffic info.
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) September 26, 2018
#KeenbrookFire – I-15 still closed in both directions. Parents for #PaakumaK8 are encouraged to use Riverside Ave/Glen Helen Pkwy. Parents for #KimbarkES are encouraged to use Cajon Blvd to Devore Road. Expect major delays. https://t.co/Mx2TA6wGko pic.twitter.com/uXxZbRvR71
— SBCUSD OES (@SBCUSD_OES) September 26, 2018
More behind the scenes video as work to contain the #KeenbrookFire continues. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/QhUyJ3bxau
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) September 26, 2018
Video from just below a fire retardant drop at the #KeenbrookFire. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/XLRsgW4zY4
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) September 26, 2018
#KeenbrookFire Update:
– Location: 15 Fwy north of Kenwood
– 50 acres, 0% containment
– Rapid rate of spread w/ spotting; resistant to control
– Advisory evacuations for Mathews Ranch and structures to the north of fire
– 250 personnel
– Freeway closures via @caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/R0JV1m04eo— San Bernardino National Forest (@SanBernardinoNF) September 26, 2018
Cajon(Update): #KeenbrookFire presently at 20 acres with MROS. Southbound I-15 is closed at 138 for smoke impacting freeway. @SanBernardinoNF @CALFIREBDU
— SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) September 26, 2018
— BrocNessMonster (@BrocNessMonster) September 26, 2018