Apr 26, 2008 2:31 pm US/Pacific
Badlands Wildfire Causing Major Traffic Headaches
BEAUMONT
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A heavy brushfire, like the one depicted here, is causing traffic woes in the Badlands, according to authorities. The heavy smoke is causing drivers to make U-turns on the busy freeway.
CBS
A brushfire in the Badlands was causing good drivers to do the unthinkable Saturday.
Winds, combined with heavy smoke, caused motorists to back-up and make U-turns on the winding freeway to escape danger.
California Highway Patrol officers reportedly closed California 60 between Moreno Valley and Beaumont, after hearing reports of some motorists fleeing from danger by going the wrong way on the freeway.
The four-lane freeway through the Badlands area has a concrete median and no exits for about six miles.
The road twists and winds through hills and gullies, and heavy brush grows on the roadsides.
Scanner reports from the scene indicate that at least one motorist abandoned his or her car in heavy smoke.
Calfire/Riverside County fire units were sent to the area at about 12:45
p.m.
Beaumont police have closed onramps to the westbound 60 at Sixth Street, and the CHP has closed the 60 to westbound traffic at the Interstate 10 split.
Eastbound traffic is being turned around at Gilman Springs Road.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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