Blazes in Cajon Pass 'Accidental Not Arson' Per San Bernardino County Fire

Three fires in the Cajon Pass that burned brush next to the 15 Freeway, destroyed an outbuilding, and damaged a barn were determined to be accidental and not arson, a county fire spokeswoman said Wednesday evening.

The largest of the fires burned about 10 acres and it was considered 60 percent contained as of 7:30 p.m., Bill Peters of Cal Fire San Bernardino said in a phone interview.

Full containment was expected by 8 a.m. Thursday Sept. 20, Peters said.

The first fire started about 3:15 p.m. on the 15 Freeway shoulder just north of the interchange with the 215 in Devore, Tracey Martinez of the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.

"Several minutes later two additional fires occurred on northbound I-15 at Cleghorn Rd. and near the CHP scales," Martinez said in a statement.

Firefighters from San Bernardino County, Cal Fire, the Forest Service and other local fire agencies "aggressively fought the blaze and kept the fire from spreading to nearby homes," Martinez said.

"The fire burned a small outbuilding and damaged a barn," Martinez said. "No animals were harmed. The fire was quickly contained at 10 acres. There were no evacuations or injuries."

Forest Service firefighters extinguished the other two blazes, which burned about a half-acre at each location, Martinez said.

San Bernardino County Fire investigators and sheriff's investigators determined the three fires were accidental, not arson, Martinez said. An investigation was continuing.

Martinez added a note of caution to residents of southwest San Bernardino County, including people on the rural edges of Redlands and Loma Linda.

"Had the Santa Ana winds been blowing, the outcome of these fires could have been much different," Martinez said. "The height of fire season is upon us here in Southern California. San Bernardino County Fire encourages residents to create a 100' defensible space around their homes."

Visit www.sbcfire.org to learn more about how to make your home defensible against fires.

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