Cajon Pass Wildfire Threatens Homes in Southern California

Sept. 3, 2011— -- Nearly a thousand firefighters are working today to contain a 1,100-acre wildfire burning in Southern California that started on the divider of Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated after the "Hill Fire" started Friday afternoon and quickly spread to nearly two square miles, blocking the Cajon Pass, a main thoroughfare between the Los Angeles area and Las Vegas.

With temperatures expected to climb into the triple digits today, fire officials say there's a chance the fire could continue to spread, but they're cautiously optimistic.

San Bernardino National Forest spokeswoman Robin Prince says whether the fire spreads depends largely on the winds, but for now there are no further evacuation orders and Interstate 15 has been reopened.

Containment of the fire is at about 30 percent, and 27 crews using 64 engines and seven helicopters are working to gain the upper hand and put the fire out.

"The fire laid down pretty good, firefighters have made very good progress," U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller said.

Traffic on Interstate 15 is expected to be slow today, as drivers head out for Labor Day weekend getaways. Prince says firefighters may close lanes here and there, and there may be delays on the roads.

The blaze destroyed two mobile homes and damaged two other structures. Two firefighters were injured while battling the blaze.

Officials say the blaze has come threateningly close to a number of homes, but the only casualities of the fire are several animals that were trapped on a ranch. The cause of fire is under investigation.

ABC station KABC-TV in Los Angeles contributed to this report.