150-Acre Canyon Brush Fire Triggers Evacuations

Three vacant homes were destroyed today in a fast moving 150-acre brush fire in unincorporated Orange that forced the shutdown of Santiago Canyon Road and the evacuation of the Irvine Lake campground and 15 other structures, a fire captain said.

The forward progress of the fire has been stopped, according to the OCFA. Fire officials earlier estimated that 250 acres scorched but then downgraded the size of the fire back to 150 acres.

The evacuation went into effect just before noon and affected about 10 to 15 people at the campground. Fifteen structures -- including cabins -- were also evacuated, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi, who reported the loss of the three “abandoned” homes that were formerly Irvine Ranch residences.

The fire broke out for unknown reasons late this morning near the 241 Eastern Transportation Corridor and Santiago Canyon Road, which was closed between the tollway and Modjeska Canyon Road.

The fire has the potential of reaching 200 acres, Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

More than 200 firefighters battled the blaze this afternoon with three air tankers dropping retardant and another five helicopters making water drops, Concialdi said.

As of 1:45 p.m. the blaze was 25 percent contained, he said, with no injuries reported.

The Orange County Emergency Operations Center activated a public information hotline -- (714) 628-7085 -- for people to call for updates on the blaze.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE REFRESH THE SCREEN FOR UPDATES.

City News Service

Photo: Patch Archive