Rain helps quell California flames

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A rare summer storm allowed firefighters to contain 60 percent of a wildfire that swept across a California interstate, torching vehicles and sending people running for their lives.

Light rain and moist air dampened the blaze in the mountainous Cajon Pass 55 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the main artery between Southern California and Las Vegas.

The wind-driven fire was sparked Friday afternoon below the elevated lanes of Interstate 15. The flames destroyed 20 vehicles on the freeway before heading into the neighboring community of Baldy Mesa, where it burned seven homes and destroyed 44 more vehicles.

Another wildfire that broke out Friday night in the San Gabriel Mountains and forced the evacuation of 300 campers in nearby Wrightwood is 35 percent contained after burning about 200 acres.