HolyCoast: Fires Continue to Ravage Northern Orange County
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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Fires Continue to Ravage Northern Orange County

It's been a tough couple of day for residents of Northern Orange County with two large wildfires wreaking havoc through some pretty pricey real estate:
A massive wildfire continued to burn as the sun rose Sunday, damaging or destroying at least 150 residences in Orange and Riverside counties, leaving more than 7,300 acres burned.

More than 1,000 homes remained threatened.

The flames spread for miles near Yorba Linda and Brea and raced through dry brush toward Chino Hills in San Bernardino County.

More than 22,000 people were evacuated from their homes as fires burned in Anaheim Hills, Brea, Yorba Linda and Chino Hills. Fire officials dubbed it the "Triangle Complex Fire."

Firefighters were aided by more calm wind speeds overnight, but wind kicked up Sunday morning. Fire officials reported about 5 percent containment. Six firefighters had suffered minor injuries.

The air assault on the fires was expected to resume in the daylight by around 7 a.m.

In Brea, all homes east of Valencia Avenue in Carbon Canyon were evacuated, including the Olinda Village area and the Hollydale Mobile Home Park.

Several roads remained closed, but major freeways including the 91 and 57 freeways were reopened early Sunday, California Highway Patrol officials said. The Weir Canyon exit of the 91 freeway remained closed in both directions.

The 71 freeway, north of the 91 freeway also was closed.

Sunday morning, anxious residents looked for news, especially those who fled to evacuation centers in Anaheim and Placentia.

Fire officials reported early Sunday that homes damaged or destroyed included 70 in Yorba Linda, 10 homes and 50 apartments in Anaheim Hills, one home in Brea and 16 homes in Corona.

A friend of mine used to live in a very large luxury home on a hillside in Yorba Linda. He sold that hom a few years ago and good thing he did because last night he got word that his former home had burned down. It was one of a number of large homes to go in the fire.

Let me give some kudos to KCAL Channel 9 in Los Angeles. Last night I got home from a concert a little before 11:30 and wanted to watch the news of the ongoing firefight. At 11:30 every L.A. station went to other programming - except Channel 9. They were live with reports on the fires all night and are still covering it as I write this on Sunday morning. Their reporting has been very good with lots of field reporters and continuous helicopter coverage. One of their reporters was calling in live as they fled a sudden firestorm in Carbon Canyon. You could hear the near panic in her voice. They've really done their job as a good neighbor to the community and as good journalists. Thanks, KCAL!

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