UPDATE: Blue Cut Fire 73 percent contained

LATEST UPDATE: The Blue Cut Fire's containment grew 5 percent throughout Saturday. Containment is now up to 73 percent, up from 68 percent Saturday morning.

 

At least 105 homes have now burned.

 

UPDATE: Reports on August 19 say the Blue Cut Fire is 40 percent contained.

 

96 family homes were destroyed by the fire, and 37,000 acres have burned.

 

ORIGINAL STORY

 

Fire officials say the Blue Cut wildfire 60 miles east of Los Angeles has destroyed a significant number of homes, but the number of losses isn't yet known.

 

San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig says he flew over the fire area Wednesday morning and describes it as "devastating." He says a lot of families will come home to nothing.

 

The Summit Inn burned along old Route 66 Tuesday. The roadside diner was known for attracting guests such as Elvis Presley and Clint Eastwood.

 

Others have refused to evacuate such as some residents in the Wrightwood, a town of 4,500. Some residents are prepared to leave but are waiting until the fire gets closer to their homes.

 

While for residents in Oak Hills, they evacuated as flames were around them.

"I got out of my driveway watched in my rear view mirror, luckily within five minutes I had engines up at my house," one resident said.

 

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Veteran fire commanders say the blaze hit hard and fast after breaking out Tuesday in hot weather and drought-stricken terrain, and it spread with an intensity they hadn't seen before. There are about 1,300 personnel fighting the wildfire.

 

The fire closed Interstate 15 for more than a day through the Cajon Pass. Northbound I-15 reopened Wednesday night while southbound I-15 remains closed.