Anaheim Fire: Canyon Fire 2 Fully Contained

ANAHEIM, CA — The 9,200-acre Canyon Fire 2 in the Anaheim Hills was fully contained Tuesday, but crews were still doing clean-up work and continuing to patrol the fire-scarred area for hot spots. The blaze that broke out Oct. 9 destroyed 25 structures, damaged 55 more, threatened some 3,500 others at one point and prompted the full closure of the 241 toll road in both directions between the Riverside (91) Freeway and Santiago Canyon Road.

The 241 was back to full operation by about 9 a.m. Monday, a week after the fire broke out, but Santa Ana Canyon Road between Woodcrest and Gypsum Canyon roads in Anaheim remains closed.

Peters Canyon and Santiago Oaks regional parks remained closed, and it's not known when they will reopen, according to Marisa O'Neil of the OC Parks Department. But Irvine Regional Park was partially reopened Tuesday morning, she said.

Visitors can enjoy the Irvine Park Railroad and the pumpkin patch, though the zoo remains closed, she said.

"We anticipate (the zoo) will reopen this weekend, probably on Saturday," O'Neil said.

Parts of the park remain off-limits and visitors were asked to keep out of the barricaded areas, O'Neil said. Visitors also should be aware that parking is limited for the popular pumpkin patch, she said.

All evacuation orders were lifted by 5 p.m. last Wednesday, and several local schools and colleges that closed earlier in the week were open for business by Thursday.

Four minor injuries were reported in the fire, including two firefighters who suffered minor smoke inhalation, according to CalFire.

The blaze erupted near the Riverside (91) Freeway east of Gypsum Canyon Road, near the Coal Canyon flashpoint of the first Canyon Fire, which broke out Sept. 25 and blackened more than 2,600 acres and took more than a week to contain.

OCFA photo