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California wildfire jumps freeway, scorching vehicles as motorists run to safety

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Authorities say firefighters are making progress on a fast-moving wildfire that swept across a Southern California freeway, destroying 20 vehicles and sending motorists running to safety before burning at least five homes.

The fire started Friday afternoon in the Cajon Pass along Interstate 15 — the main highway between Southern California and Las Vegas — and quickly spread to 3,500 acres.

A San Bernardino County Fire official says hundreds of firefighters, aided by water-dropping aircraft, have contained 35 per cent of the blaze.

Strong winds spread the fire to the rural community of Baldy Mesa, where it burned at least five homes and threatened about 50 more.

California is in the midst of severe drought, and wildfires are common. Some break out near freeways, but it’s very unusual to have vehicles caught in the flames.

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