Blue Cut Fire: Acreage, Containment Updates on Massive Blaze Near Cajon Pass

UPDATE 9:30 p.m.: The latest estimates from the National Forest Service put the size of the Blue Cut Fire at 25,626 acres, as mapping was refined throughout the day.

There are still 1,309 personnel assigned to the incident headed into the night. Containment is estimated at 4 percent.

There are still no estimates as to how many structures have burned, but authorities say 34,506 structures are threatened and evacuation orders remain in place.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: Crews have been working nonstop Wednesday to battle the raging inferno in the San Bernardino County mountains near the Cajon Pass, with some 1,309 personnel now assigned to the blaze.

There have been no updates on the size of the so-called Blue Cut Fire. Several structures have been destroyed, but there's no estimate yet as to how many.

Smoky skies are visible in much of the Southland, prompting the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a smoke advisory.

"Winds from the southwest are predicted to push smoke toward the north and east into the San Bernardino Mountains and the high desert," the agency said. "Depending on evolving fire and weather conditions, smoke impacts will mainly occur in the San Bernardino Mountain areas near and downwind of the fire, although some smoke may settle into the valley areas of San Bernardino County overnight. Air quality may reach unhealthy levels in areas directly impacted by smoke."

All of the evacuations and road closures listed below remain in effect.

ORIGINAL STORY AS FOLLOWS:

Fire officials on Wednesday said the blaze that erupted Tuesday in the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County has burned more than 30,000 acres of land and forced more than 80,000 people to evacuate their homes. Zero percent of the fire had been contained, the U.S. Forest Service said.

The fire, raging about an hour east of Los Angeles, started Tuesday morning near Kenwood Avenue and has since charged through the area to become one of the largest fires currently burning in California. Cal Fire said Wednesday morning that the fire is threatening 34,500 homes and is an "imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures." More than 1,300 fire personnel have been deployed to the scene.

Among the evacuated areas was Wrightwood — a ski resort town nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains — along with Lytle Cree, Oak Hills and surrounding areas. Interstate 15 was closed from Main Street in Hesperia to I-215 in San Bernardino along with the southbound connector to U.S. Highway 395. Large vehicles such as semi trucks and motor homes were advised not to use SR-18 or SR-138 to travel through the mountains.

"There will be a lot of families that come home to nothing," San Bernardino Fire Chief Mark Hartwig told reporters at a Wednesday morning press conference.

.@sheriffmcmahon speaks about evacuations of the #BlueCutFire pic.twitter.com/BkaweH07PN
— SB County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) August 17, 2016

Cadaver dogs were being sent to the area to search for possible human remains, according to ABC News. Cal Fire said 152 engines, 18 crews, eight air tankers, two Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS) and eight helicopters were also on the scene working to stop the blaze.

"If we ask you to leave, you have to leave," John Miller, a U.S. Forest Service official, told reporters.

Several structures have been destroyed in the fire, but right now, there's no estimate as to how many. Among the buildings burned to the ground was the historic Summit Inn, along Route 66.

You've probably passed by the iconic Route 66 diner on your way from LA to Vegas. https://t.co/510mikVb91
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) August 17, 2016

California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for San Bernardino County because of the fire.

Here is a full list of mandatory evacuations, according to Cal Fire:

• The entire community of Wrightwood
• Wrightwood from San Bernardino County Line to Jackson Lake
• West of I-15, and West of Hwy 395 and west of Summit Valley
• South of Bear Valley Road and East of Caughlin Road.
• East of Sheep Creek, south of Phelan Road and west of Green Road, including the Desert Front Road area.
• Lone Pine Canyon
• Swarthout Canyon
• West Cajon Valley
• Lytle Creek Canyon

Full list of road closures:

• South Bound 395 closed at Joshua
• Highway 138 has been closed from Interstate 15 to Highway 2
• State Route 2 closed from LA County Line to the 138
• Hwy 138 closed between County Line to Highway 173
• Old Cajon Boulevard north of Devore Cutoff
• Lytle Creek at Glen Helen
• Beekley Road from Phelan Road to the 138
• Hwy 38 to Lone Pine Canyon has been closed
• 15 Northbound at I-215
• 15 Southbound at Ranchero

Patch will be updating this story throughout the day with the latest information.