What we know right now about the Blue Cut fire burning in the Cajon Pass

The 15 Freeway, the main artery in and out of the High Desert, remains closed Wednesday morning as firefighters battled the out-of-control Blue Cut fire in the Cajon Pass overnight.

The massive wind-driven wildfire devoured 30,000u2009acres and multiple homes and buildings by Wednesday morning, forcing more than 80,000 people to evacuate their homes. No portion of the perimeter has containment lines.

• Photos: The Blue Cut fire burns 30,000 acres and is still out of control

The mandatory evacuation area includes Phelan/Piñon Hills south of Phelan Road from Sheep Creek Road to Green Road, including the Desert Front Road area, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday morning.

• Live updates: Follow live updates from the Blue Cut fire

The 15 Freeway was shut down shortly after the fire was first spotted around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, west of the southbound lanes near Kenwood Avenue. The 15 Freeway, along with Highway 138 from Highway 2 to Highway 18 as well as Big Pines Highway at Jackson Lake, remained shut down Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

• Map: Where the Blue Cut fire in the Cajon Pass is burning near the 15 Freeway

TIt’s unclear how many structures have been lost to the fire, said Justin Correll with the U.S. Forest Service.

“We have damage assessment teams out there now,” he said. “They’re out with cadaver dogs to make sure everyone was able to evacuate in time.”

No deaths are reported. The use of cadaver dogs is only a precaution, authorities say.

• Related story: Blue Cut fire burns 18,000 acres in Cajon Pass on Day 1, more than 80,000 evacuated

Victorville Valley Transit Authority Route 20, Route 21 and Route 15 B-V Link between Victorville and San Bernardino are shut down because of the fire, but other routes continue as usual, according to the agency.

The Barstow, Helendale, Silver Valley, Snowline, Hesperia, Oro Grande and Victor Valley school districts are closed Wednesday. Kimbark Elementary and bus services into and out of Devore are also closed, according to San Bernardino City Unified School District police.

Teachers normally assigned to Kimbark Elementary will instead cover for teachers at other schools who live in the High Desert and are expected to have trouble traveling south, said district spokeswoman Maria Garcia.

The devastating fire, which destroyed several structures and homes -- including the historic Summit I at the top of the Cajon Pass -- quickly exploded, consuming 30,000 acres, or nearly 47 square miles, in less than 24 hours.

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A steady stream of customers stopped at Wrightwood Market for gas and supplies, and several residents and West Cajon Valley evacuees gathered Wednesday morning to discuss the fire.

Most are getting gas and a lot of coffee, said Patrick Boyle, the owner.

“It’s bewildering,” said Char Miller, a professor at Pomona College who researches wildfires. “The fire is moving very, very quickly, and I think that’s one of the examples of the nature of fire this summer. This is in big measure because we’re in a deep drought. The drought, the weather and the temperature have come together in a way that’s, frankly, pretty scary.”

• Photos: Firefighters attack the Blue Cut fire on Day 1 in the Cajon Pass

Red flag conditions remain in effect for San Bernardino County until 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Winds are forecasted to reach 35 miles per hour, according to Correll, with the Forest Service.

Air quality was unhealthy or unhealthy for sensitive groups in much of the area because of the smoke, according to the Mojave and South Coast air quality management districts. The smoke advisories suggest limiting time spent outdoors and avoiding outdoor exercise when smoke is in the air and using the air conditioner.