US News

Orange County, California fire update (Oct 23 PM)

By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 24, 2007, 2:21 GMT

Local NBC 4 affiliate is reporting that an arson-caused wildfire jumped a major road overnight and threatened homes in Orange County's remote canyons, prompting mandatory evacuation orders to residents in nearly 2,300 residences Tuesday, a fire official said. Smoke from wildfires shrouds the sun in a red-orange glow in Running Springs, California, USA, 23 October 2007. Firestorms burned across southern California on 23 October for the third straight day as US President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency and 500,000 residents of the region fled for their lives. EPA/PAUL BUCK

Smoke from wildfires shrouds the sun in a red-orange glow in Running Springs, California, USA, 23 October 2007. Firestorms burned across southern California on 23 October for the third straight day as US President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency and 500,000 residents of the region fled for their lives. EPA/PAUL BUCK"This fire, because of the wind and the fuel conditions, has jumped Santiago Canyon Road, which was a primary control point for us, and is threatening the communities of Modjeska Canyon, Silverado Canyon and Williams Canyon," Orange County Fire Authority Chief Chip Prather said about noon Tuesday.NBC 4 reports that until the flames crossed the road, some 500 firefighters had succeeded in protecting homes in the area. With the fire's dramatic progress overnight, firefighters Tuesday morning put fire-retardant foam on houses and pulled back because "it is unsafe for anybody to be in those canyons," Prather said.At least two homes have burned in Modjeska Canyon. An exact count of how many homes have burned is not available, but fire crews estimate scores of structures will be lost before the day is out.The sounds of explosions are echoed through the wildland canyon, possibly from propane tanks and ammunition stored in houses."Our challenge on this fire is to acquire the right number of resources in sufficient numbers to confront this," Prather said. "You know we've had some difficulty getting air assets. This morning we were allocated four air tankers. The began to drop on the Modjeska fire but the conditions have deteriorated and it is unsafe for the air tankers to fly presently so they've pulled back.""So while our success objectives were to lose no structures, I can't tell you that's going to be achieved today in Modjeska, or Silverado or Williams Canyon."The fire has grown to about 18,000 acres, he said. The perimeter of the fire is 38 miles long," the chief said.Prather said one danger in the canyons involves the lack of modern fire protections.Firefighters see "a stark contrast between a community constructed to modern fire-safe standard," such as Foothill Ranch and Portola Springs, "and older communities with lots of brush, wooden structures and less defensible space."Residents of 2,258 homes in Orange County's remote canyons were ordered Tuesday to leave, while 61 boys at a youth camp were bused as a precaution as the out-of-control 15,800-acre Santiago fire continued to rage, officials said.Prather confirmed a report of one home in Modjeska Canyon being lost to the flames. He said it was unoccupied, with no furniture. He said the cost of the fire so far is about $5.5 million.The arson fire, which was started Sunday evening, was 30 percent contained.NBC 4 reports that earlier, 62 boys, ages 13-15, were bused from Joplin Boys Ranch in Trabuco Canyon to the Youth Guidance Center in Santa Ana, another facility operated by the Probation Department, said Vicki Mathews, public information officer for the department.About 900 Modjeska Canyon residents were evacuated from some 235 homes in the canyon because of danger of the structures catching fire, officials said.Evacuation orders also were in place for Williams, where there are 23 homes, and Silverado canyon, with 2,000 homes, Concepcion said.Mandatory evacuation was called for areas of Santiago Canyon Road and Hangman Tree Road, but officials had no information as to how many people or homes are affected.Voluntary evacuations were in effect in the foothill areas of Lake Forest, including Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills, as well as the Hamilton Truck Trail area in Trabuco, according to Concepcion.NBC 4 reports that shelters were set up at El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way, where more than 200 adults and about 50 children were staying, according to Daphne Hart of the American Red Cross.John Wayne AirportNBC 4 reports that John Wayne Airport in Orange County remained open and operational, spokeswoman Jenny Wedge said Monday night.As of 4 p.m., wind conditions reported by the airport tower were 21.5 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. As a result, flights continue to depart to the north and arrive from the south.Passengers are encouraged to contact their airline for up-to-the-minute flight status.For updates on the operational status at JWA, passengers can log on to www.ocair.com

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With YouOct 24th, 2007 - 08:34:14

I hope and pray that those responsible for the arson caused fire are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Too often are we confronted with the devastation forced upon others who must be uprooted and restart their lives because of the lame mentality that permeates our society.

We will support you Californians in your time of need, and the government will do what it can as well.

Ever united in protecting and sheltering our own, we refuse to fail you.

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tonny from belgiumOct 24th, 2007 - 11:23:38

Arson is only part of the problem .Real causes are manifold ;climate change is probably the main ingredient .Record temperatures and longer periods of droughts are transforming California's nature in a powder keg awaiting to explode .These events are well predicted by climatologists .The same scenario is bound to happen in many more parts of the USA,wherever a green vegetation and drought are combined .Praying is not exactly an attitude that will solve the problem .However humans can still solve the problem if only they take the problem seriously and stop shooting at the messenger .Following the attribution of the Noble prize to Al Gore there was a tremendous campaign in neocon and republican media to smear the integrity of Al Gore .
Time to wake up to the future before it consumes you .

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KarmaOct 24th, 2007 - 12:31:53

They killed 1 million Iraqis, 2 million displaced internally and 4 million outside for Oil(wealth)!!! Here in the Rich neighborhood the fire is taking it all back!!

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ah KarmaOct 24th, 2007 - 13:15:57

even after this tragedy Americans (Californians) will bounce back stronger and better than ever- that is the difference between us and them.

We are resourceful
We are strong
We have a tolerant and vibrant multi-cultural society that is inclusive, not sexist or foolishly theocratic.

USA will survive this too.

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MikeOct 24th, 2007 - 16:06:24

Just an exercise in rounding up the hordes. Sell this to someone else.

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tonny from belgiumOct 24th, 2007 - 17:04:18

Don't get lost in chauvinism,climate change concerns us all,no need to antagonize anybody,only acting together can save the planet .

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SoCal ResidentOct 24th, 2007 - 17:40:16

WOW...

As a native SoCal resident, I live with many issues in this region. The earthquakes, Santa Ana winds, and firestorms have been going on here before Bush was president, before the mankind populated the region, and before the dinosaurs roamed the area as well.

This is not global warming, it is not caused by the war in Iraq, it was not started by Bush, nor will it stop in the future as it is and has always been a part of the natural force in the region.

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Barbara from the United kingdomOct 24th, 2007 - 18:58:19

I just want to say how deeply sorry I am too see all that devastation... I was in Orange county a month ago... my heart goes out too my american friends and too those who have lost everything.But as a nation you will overcome this tragedy.... all I can do is give my support too the USA at a time like this.

A friend ....

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SoCal NativeOct 24th, 2007 - 23:07:38

@Barbara; Thanks
@Tonny; Hats off to you Tonny! I have noticed you have the remarkable ability to come up with a partisan comment for any topic. I just wish partisanship were more of a solution than it is a part of the problem in this world. Then you would actually be helping.

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Don FeeneyOct 25th, 2007 - 01:45:15

Hey, Tonny, go cry to the people in the Congo.

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