Rain calms California fire that jumped freeway, burned cars

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wildfire that swept across a busy California freeway, sending people running for their lives, was calmed by rain today, allowing some crews to be shifted to another blaze that forced hundreds of campers to evacuate, including a Girl Scout troop.

The rain and lower temperatures helped pacify the fire that had burned over Interstate 15 on Friday in Cajon Pass, a mountainous area 55 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

The fire destroyed 20 vehicles on the freeway linking Southern California and Las Vegas before burning three homes and 44 more vehicles in the community of Baldy Mesa.

The fire was 5 percent contained after charring 5.5 square miles. Highway officials reopened most of Interstate 15.

Firefighters turned their attention to protecting some 700 homes in the Baldy Mesa area, where about 2,800 people remained evacuated and nearly three dozen spent the night at a temporary shelter.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Carol Underhill said rain was helping firefighters and the fire wasn't growing.

The fire had sparked sheer chaos when it began next to Interstate 15. Fueled by 40 mph winds, the blaze raced uphill and onto the traffic-clogged freeway, temporarily trapping hundreds of people amid a cauldron of smoke, flames and ash.

Amazingly, only two people were injured. Both suffered minor smoke inhalation, authorities said, but declined medical attention.