Canyon Fire: 2,000+ Acres; Photos, Map, Containment Coming

ANAHEIM, CA — The Canyon Fire continues to burn between Anaheim and Corona, but appears to be holding steady at 2,000 acres and 45-percent containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service information officer Olivia Walker at Unified Command.

There are 1,900 firefighters battling the fire from the air and ground, according to latest reports. Mandatory evacuations have been lifted. There are no school closures reported on Thursday.

"Good progress continues to be made on all flanks of the fire," Walker said.

Some residents have been allowed to return to their homes. Those who live to the north of Green River Road and Foothill Parkway can return home with Valid ID Only according to incident command. Access to those areas must be made by using Serfas Club Drive and Paseo Grande.

"The winds can make things unpredictable," Walker said. Throughout the day, Tuesday, interior work was done on the fire as additional resources arrived through the day from various agencies across the Southland.

Air drops and aggressive firefighting continued Tuesday and Wednesday on the Canyon Fire, between Anaheim and Corona. The Canyon Fire has exploded in size since it was first reported just after 1 p.m. on Monday. Heat and wind were expected to fuel the flames into Wednesday, and though initial numbers proclaimed 2,500 acres, the fire has settled at an estimated 2,000 acres with still only 15 percent containment as of 9 p.m. Tuesday night.

Embers from blowing smoke can create spot fires and flare-ups overnight as the wind blows smoke southward, and fire crews will watch this overnight.

On Monday, more than 1,500 residents from 500 homes were told to evacuate overnight with shelter available at the Corona High School. Evacuations remained in effect Tuesday night on the south side of Green River Road, from the 91 Freeway to Trudy Way, according to a press release.

"When we talk about 500 homes that were threatened, it takes time for assessment teams to go out there to see if any homes were damaged," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said. "But we know of one that has been confirmed that has been damaged. No homes have been destroyed."

A Corona police officer directing traffic was injured by a hit-and-run driver about 8:30 p.m. Monday at Green River Road and Montana Ranch Road, according to Corona police Detective Andy Bryant.

David Shaheen, 53, of Corona, was booked on suspicion of felony hit-and- run for allegedly driving around traffic control barriers at the intersection and hitting the patrol officer, Bryant said. The officer was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released, Bryant said.

"Fortunately for him he was wearing his helmet because he hit his head on the ground," Bryant said.

Shaheen posted bail and was released, Bryant said.

The Anaheim Hills looked like a volcano Tuesday morning, seen by breaking news photographer Chris Cristi in his Instagram feed.

View of the #CanyonFire near #Anaheim this morning from #SkyFOX west of #CoronaCA ... #GoodDayLA #gdla @foxla #brushfire #wildfire #firefighter
A post shared by Chris Cristi (@chriscristi) on Sep 26, 2017 at 8:21am PDT

"The fire is still kicking up and today will be hotter and drier conditions, with winds from the north and northeast," Concialdi told Patch on Tuesday morning. "We will have significant commitment of resources in the air and on the ground all day."

Nine fixed wing aircraft and nine helicopters from cooperating agencies worked together under incident command. Overnight, Monday, three helicopters made drops from CalFire, Los Angeles County Fire and OCFA, all equipped with night vision capabilities, according to Concialdi. That was expected to continue Tuesday night.

Over 1,500 firefighters from varying agencies are battling the Canyon Fire which is currently burning five miles from the Anaheim line, with winds pushing the fire southwest towards Irvine lake. The wind is blowing smoke toward Orange County and Riverside County are both impacted. Many residents will smell and see smoke this week.

There were no immediate threats to Anaheim neighborhoods as of Wednesday, according to the City of Anaheim, however potential shifting winds could negatively impact Orange County. Smoke could be seen from the Irvine Metro train station, as reported by Twitter users.

Flames were visible from the Corona evacuation center Tuesday morning, and the Red Cross was on scene to aid evacuees. Schools were closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to hazardous conditions. Animals are welcome at the evacuation center.

All evacuations were cancelled Corona Fire Department.

SCHOOL CLOSURES- WEDNESDAY:

Schools were closed Tuesday due to smoke and air quality concerns:

• Coronita Elementary
• John Adams Elementary
• Cesar Chavez Academy
• Prado View Elementary
• Eisenhower Elementatry
• Citrus Hills Intermediate School
• Franklin Elementary

There was possibility of additional school closures in the area, but other schools remain open, including Corona High School.

Irvine Unified School District reported Tuesday that all IUSD schools would modify outdoor activities and sports until the air quality in the area improves.

Thus far, one responder was injured in the blaze when a police officer was struck by a hit and run pickup truck. One home and one big rig have been scorched by the wildfire burning across the Orange County and Riverside County border.

Early this morning on 71S heading to 91W. #canyonfire pic.twitter.com/q9zR1xNRU7
— Sarah Herman (@CeraH553) September 26, 2017

Evening traffic was already slow Tuesday as lane closures still exist. The 91 is the only way for many to get to work from Riverside to Orange County.

During the Monday evening commute, traffic slowed to a crawl along the 91, 71 and 241 highways. Drivers on westbound 91 have claimed on Twitter that they can feel the heat from the flames from across the freeway median. The California Highway Patrol has issued a Sig alert for the area.

Emergency vehicles closed one lane of traffic to allow incoming firefighters to battle fast-moving brush fire, which was estimated to have burned about 1,500 acres as of 7 p.m. Monday, according to the Anaheim Fire & Rescue.

"We're asking the public if possible to avoid the eastbound 91," CHP Officer Florentino Oliveira said.

Shifting Santa Anna winds were cause for concern to fire crews thos week, who were setting back fires in hopes of keeping the fire from crossing the freeway.

"That would create true problems for firefighters," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said.

Fire now at 550 acres. No res structures threatened. Plans in place for structure protection if necessary. 200 FFs on scene #CanyonFire pic.twitter.com/YbYQQvdRTU
— Anaheim Fire &Rescue (@AnaheimFire) September 26, 2017

Those wind shifts caused extreme fire activity on the right flank of the fire as multiple agencies and more than 200 firefighters battle the blaze, Anaheim Fire and Rescue officers reported. Gusts were blowing from 20 to 25 mph fanning the flames, according to reports from the scene.

The brush fire began Monday afternoon on the eastbound side of the 91 freeway at Gypsum Canyon Road, near the 241 (Eastern Transportation Corridor), according to Kurtz. Towering smoke and flames could be seen from the 91 freeway and throughout much of Orange County.

"The Canyon Fire has crossed Pipeline Road and is into Chino Hills State Park," officials said. "Expect traffic on the 91 to be heavily impacted."

The thick "column of smoke" could be seen from the air, as Michael Quiles reported over social media. By 4 p.m., Monday, the tower of smoke from the fire could be seen as far as West Covina and by planes landing at John Wayne Airport.

"Not the view you want to see flying in," Quiles said via Twitter, on his way to John Wayne Airport.

Another Southlander, Chuck Gay, reported seeing smoke from West Covina.

On Tuesday, hundreds of firefighters from multiple agencies arrived to help battle the blaze, along with three fixed-wing planes and six helicopters, making water and flame- retardant drops. Orange County Fire Authority firefighters are assisting Anaheim Fire with the brush fire. City of Orange firefighters and the U.S. Forest Service firefighters are also assisting with the blaze.

Follow Orange County Patch on Facebook for the latest information and updates.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.

OCFA Photos, Twitter @l_B_Phil