Route to Vegas reopens

Caltrans has opened two northbound lanes of Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass as fire crews battled two blazes along the well-traveled highway.

Lanes have remained opened on the southbound side, but traffic in both directions is jammed.

Kevin Forrester, superintendent of the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in the San Bernardino Mountains, said the fires are at least five miles away but he decided to evacuate campers.

“We see smoke, so we’re just trying to do it as a precaution,” Forrester said.

Forrester said it was a “light” day in terms of visitors, but he wasn’t able to provide an exact number.

The Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is northwest of Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The lake, at 3,350 feet altitude, is the highest reservoir in the State Water Project and is popular among boaters, anglers and water skiers.

Forrester said there are a few private residences outside the park boundaries.

The fires were reported just before 1 p.m.