All evacuation orders related to the Blue Ridge Fire, which prompted evacuations in areas that included Yorba Linda, Brea, and Chino Hills, have been lifted as of late Wednesday afternoon, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
That morning, fire officials said the Silverado Fire further south down the county was burning at about 13,300 acres and 25% contained, while the Blue Ridge Fire was burning around 14,300 acres with 16% containment. A spokesperson for CAL FIRE didn’t have an update on the acreage and containment as of Wednesday afternoon.
STORY LAST UPDATED: 5:16 p.m. Oct. 28
The Blue Ridge fire had spread rapidly across Monday and Tuesday — posing hazards early on to Yorba Linda, Chino Hills, and Brea residents — with seven structures damaged and one destroyed, while fire officials expected extreme fire weather to continue today but become much weaker this evening.
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The Silverado fire, which posed risk to Irvine, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest and south county canyon residents but has since lessened in threat level, had spread much slower and containment progress is moving at a faster rate, with moderate fire behavior and no structures damaged or destroyed so far.
CAL FIRE in the morning said both fires weren’t expected to be contained until Nov. 10.
But that could change, one spokesman said, depending on fire activity or other factors that come into play: “If everything works out as planned, that’s our expected containment. If we make more progress in the next few days than expected, it could change to a sooner time.”
Regarding the Silverado Fire, evacuation orders have lifted for much of Lake Forest, while the northern edge of the city into Foothill Ranch remains a mandatory evacuation zone. Similarly, the evacuation order for Mission Viejo, spanning Painted Trails and Sky Ridge, was lifted Wednesday.
Areas spanning Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and the area north of Trabuco Canyon remain under evacuation warning.
Irvine was the first city to have evacuation orders put into effect in response to the Silverado Fire, but as of Wednesday afternoon, the Irvine Police Dept. announced on Twitter that all evacuation orders had been lifted throughout the entire city.
Blue Ridge Fire
All evacuation orders for parts of Yorba Linda, Brea, and Chino Hills regarding this fire have been lifted as of late Wednesday afternoon.
The fire began on Monday, after the Silverado Fire appeared further down south.
Evacuation points at this area included:
- Thomas Lasorda Jr. Field House at 4701 Casa Loma Ave in Yorba Linda
- Brea Community Center at 695 Madison Way.
Live Map: Blue Ridge Fire
If the map below does not load, click here to view.
Silverado Fire
Evacuation orders have lifted for much of Lake Forest, while the northern edge of the city into Foothill Ranch remains a mandatory evacuation zone. Similarly, the evacuation order for Mission Viejo, spanning Painted Trails and Sky Ridge, was lifted Wednesday.
Areas spanning Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and the area north of Trabuco Canyon remain under evacuation warning.
Irvine was the first city to have evacuation orders put into effect, but as of Wednesday afternoon, the Irvine Police Dept. announced on Twitter that all evacuation orders had been lifted throughout the entire city.
On Wednesday morning, some zones were lifted in the areas of Great Park Blvd north to Irvine Boulevard and the 133 Toll Road east to Portola High School, as well as the commercial area west of Bake Pkwy and south of Irvine Blvd to Toledo Way, according to an announcement by Councilwoman Farrah Khan.
Neighborhoods East of the 133 and West of Axis, between Portola and Irvine Blvd., also opened Tuesday night, she said in a later Tweet.
Evacuation points for these areas:
- Santiago Canyon College 8045 E. Chapman Ave
- Woodbridge High School at 2 Meadowbrook, Irvine
- Norman P. Murray Community Center 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo
- El Toro High School 25255 Toledo Way in Lake Forest
Live Map: Silverado Fire
If the map below does not load, click here to view.
Brandon Pho is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member at Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him at bpho@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @photherecord.