Mower Triggers Santiago Canyon Brush Fire

A 180-acre brush fire that broke out in an unincorporated area near Orange on Monday, destroying two vacant homes and forcing the evacuation of the Irvine Lake campground, was 65 percent contained this morning.

The fire was triggered when road maintenance crew mower rolled over a rock, creating a spark that set off the dry brush along an access road, confirmed Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi.

Evacuation orders remained in effect for the campground and 15 other structures, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Stephen Horner, who said about 180 firefighters remained on the fire lines.

The evacuation went into effect just before noon Monday and affected about 10 to 15 people at the campground. Fifteen structures -- including cabins -- were also evacuated, according to the OCFA, which reported the loss of the two former Irvine Ranch residences that had been scheduled to be demolished.

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

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

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.

Photos: Orange County Fire Authority