More than 950 firefighters battled the blaze, getting about 30 percent of the fire contained.
"We're waiting to see what the winds and heat do to it today," said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Robin Prince. High temperatures in the pass are expected to be 95 and 98 degrees, with winds at 15 to 20 mph and humidity at 13 to 15 percent.The 15 Freeway has been reopened in both directions, but fire officials warned there may be periodic closures due to smoke. The Hill Fire began in the center divider between the north- and southbound 15 Freeway south of Oak Hill Road at 12:43 p.m. Flames jumped the freeway and began burning west toward homes in the Oak Hills area near Hesperia. It destroyed two mobile homes and damaged three other residences. Firefighters have evacuated 1,500 homes. A mandatory evacuation remains in place south of Mesquite Street, east of Baldy Mesa Avenue and west of Oak Hills Road. Prince said about 11 people stayed at the Victorville Fairgrounds where an evacuation center had been opened Friday. Two firefighters suffered injuries while fighting the blaze.
Firefighters expect the fire to be fully contained by Sunday evening.
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Photo by EPN-564
