PHOTOS: Highway 38 Open, Mill Fire Burned Area Treated as 'Crime Scene'

Updated 8:15 p.m. Highway 38 was open as of 7 p.m. and the Mill Fire was considered 60 percent contained, according to the Forest Service.

The cause of the fire was being investigated.

Posted 5:43 p.m. A fire started next to Highway 38 north of Mill Creek Ranger Station, burned 75 to 100 acres on Yucaipa Ridge and prompted closure of the 38 for more than one hour Friday afternoon.

Multiple water-dropping helicopters responded along with hot shot firefighters and inmate crews on the ground.

There was initial concern for homes above Bryant Street and the Ranger Station but by 4:30 p.m. the perceived structure threat was mitigated, John Miller of the San Bernardino National Forest said at the scene.

San Bernardino sheriff's personnel were near what appeared to be a point of origin next to the 38, and Detective Jeremiah MacKay of the Yucaipa Station said the area was being treated as a crime scene.

MacKay emphasized sheriff's personnel had reached no conclusions about the cause of the fire.

The fire was smoldering in chaparral and it was considered 30 percent contained as of 5 p.m., according to the Forest Service.

Some motorists said they had been waiting for more than one hour to go up the 38, which remained closed between Bryant Street and Mountain Home Village.

The brush fire began near SR 38 just east of Bryant Street, near Mill Creek Bridge, at about 2:15 p.m., according to Caltrans.

Alternate routes to Big Bear, SR 18 and SR 330, were open, Caltrans advised.

Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls and Angelus Oaks residents were also asked to use the SR 18 or SR 330 detour Friday afternoon.