Brush fire sweeps major roadway in southern CaliforniaJuly 18, 2015 - 11:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A fast moving brush fire has sent dozens of people fleeing from their cars on a major roadway in southern California, BBC News reports. The fire, in the Cajon pass, is reported to have left at least 20 vehicles on the I-15 in flames and has left hundreds possibly thousands of people stranded in the desert. It broke out at the start of the weekend during peak travel time. There have been no confirmed reports of injuries. Footage from news helicopters shows dramatic pictures of people walking away from the flames, covering their faces and trying not to breathe in the noxious smoke and fumes. Several lanes of the road have been closed, causing traffic to back up for miles. "It's crazy, you're watching black clouds and white clouds of smoke, there's a ridgeline off to my right... and it looks like any second flames will come over the ridgeline,'' said 43-year-old Chris Patterson, quoted by the AP. Several dozen vehicles have been abandoned - and some are completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters asked evacuating motorists to leave their keys in the cars - in the hope that they could clear the cars once the fire is under control. Aircraft are dropping flame retardant chemicals on the fire. The I-15 is the main road linking Los Angeles and Nevada, and is particularly busy at the weekends as southern Californians head to Las Vegas. Wildfires are common in California, but have been exacerbated by the four-year drought gripping the state. Photo: Reuters Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia-Azerbaijan: Turkey wants deal after “positive developments” Turkey hopes “positive developments” in negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will lead to an agreement. Police try to impede Armenian Church head’s access to war memorial Police tried to stop the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, from visiting a war memorial. Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. |