According to the OC Fire Authority, with the Santa Ana winds blowing, there is no estimated containment in sight for the fire named “Canyon Fire 2”.
Originating in Yorba Linda, the fire has spread throughout Anaheim Hills, and has burned 4,000 to 5,000 acres so far.
Evacuations have been mandated for Orange Park Acres, North Tustin, east Orange and now Anaheim hills, with Amber Alert-style notifications being sent out to Orange County residents.
The flames are traveling fast and firefighters are on the scene. With the teams undermanned and resources stretched thin, some engines were stationed to monitor and call in for support if needed.
Residents are ready with their file cabinets filled with important documents and go-bags to leave as soon as the word to evacuate is given.
“The winds are going in the other direction but we are prepared to leave if they change directions,” said John Dehart, an Anaheim Hills resident. The last time he had to evacuate was in 2008, and they have a safe place to go to his grandma’s house in Placentia.
Further south in the Orange Hills where the fire was burning stronger, residents were busy getting their animals out, from small dogs to large farm animals. Several ranches in the area are in the direct path of the fire, adding extra responsibility on the owners of getting their farm animals to safety in a timely manner.
The roads were packed as residents headed towards safer ground. Police were blocking several roads all around the fire and residents rushed to get home and evacuate.
“We will probably evacuate to the beach,” said Kristen Fejtek, an Anaheim Hills resident. She grew up in the area and her father is a firefighter in Yorba Linda.
In the seven years she’s lived at her current house, there has been a few fire scares, but nothing as scary as today.
“I even went into my neighbor’s house to get some more of their belongings for them,” said Fejtek. “They have a newborn baby so they evacuated earlier in the day.”
“You can really feel the heat now,” said Glen Alciatore, who came to help a friend as the flames were getting closer to the neighborhood.
Firefighters from Fullerton, Yorba Linda and Anaheim are all dispatched to fight the fire currently. More stations are due to dispatch trucks according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
Update 10/10 1:43 p.m.: The second canyon fire is five percent contained as of this morning, and 7,500 acres have been burned according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
There are 1,100 firefighters currently on the ground and several helicopters making drops during the night.
Mandatory evacuations have spread to areas along the Santiago Canyon road.
Twenty-four structures have been destroyed at this point and more are in danger. One firefighter has been injured in the line of duty.
There will be more to come as we follow this story.