Orange County, California fire update (Oct 23 PM)

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

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

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.

"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 Airport

NBC 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