A Tractor Throws Out the First Ember of the Orange County Fall Fire Season

Our local firefighters are busy this afternoon a few miles southeast of me:

Firefighters are battling wildfire that has burned at least 20 acres, and was triggered by a tractor that crashed into a power pole near Ortega Highway.

The crash -- which happened around 11:30 a.m. -- knocked down several power lines, igniting the hillside brush.

Lynnette Round of the Orange County Fire Authority said the fire is burning on the south side of Ortega Highway about three miles east of San Juan Capistrano near the Cleveland National Forest.

The affected area is very near Capsers Park.

Round said approximately 90 firefighters, three helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were on the scene.

I've been listening to the incident command on their radio system and things sound a little chaotic (blown hoses and the like), but I'm sure they always are on wildfires. Fortunately winds are calm at the moment and it's in an area that's pretty much unpopulated.

If you want to listen in, you can go here.