California Wildfire Unleashes Fury on Freeway, Motorists Flee for Their Lives
Benjie Batanes | | Jul 18, 2015 07:01 AM EDT |
(Photo : Getty Images/USMC) Firefighters had a hard time putting out flames as they made their way through many the deserted vehicles on I-15 on Friday. At the moment, firefighters have reportedly been able to put out only about five percent of the blaze.
A wildfire in California reached a freeway filled with motorists on Friday and proceeded to burn everything on its path. Many motorist were forced to flee on foot to avoid being caught in the fire.
Yahoo News reported that around 20 motor vehicles were totally destroyed by the wildfire as it made its way through Interstate 15, a road that connects the southern part of California with Nevada's Las Vegas.
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There was heavy traffic when the flames reached the highway. Several motorists reportedly had to abandon their vehicles as they escaped. Fortunately no one was killed and only two persons were reported to have been lightly wounded.
Authorities say hot temperature and strong winds quickly brought the flames towards the freeway before rescuers could respond. Wildfires are a usual occurrence in states like California. But wildfires causing vehicles to catch fire on major freeways are not common.
Witnesses on the scene said that tires of the vehicles were blowing out as the flames grew very hot.
Firefighters had a hard time putting out the flames as they made their way through many of the deserted vehicles. After the flames were put out, motorists were led by the authorities back to their vehicles. Those fortunate enough were able to drive their vehicles away from the scene of the carnage, according to NYPost.
Authorities dispatched more than 20 fire trucks, airplanes, helicopters and other earth moving equipments to put out the wildfire on the freeway.
Residents in nearby Baldy Mesa communities left their homes to seek temporary shelter in a local school in order to avoid the wildfire. The wildfire reportedly burned down four houses.
A spokesperson for the United States Forest Service, Melody Lardner told reporters that the wildfire destroyed more than 14 kilometers
The LA Times reported that at least 1,000 firemen and helicopters carrying payloads of water battled the expanding wild fire. However, the fire is so vast that only five percent of the wildfire has been controlled so far.
California is currently suffering from a prolong drought that has exacerbated wildfires; causing massive destruction to property and loss of lives.
TagsCalifornia wildfire, Calfornia Wildfires 2015, Interstate 15 California Wildfire
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