A vegetation fire in Silverado Canyon on Wednesday night threatened homes and quickly grew by early Thursday to 2,000 acres.
The Orange County Fire Authority was responding to a structure fire in the 29000 block of Silverado Canyon Road on Wednesday night when the fire spread to some vegetation, according to Colleen Windsor, spokeswoman for the Fire Authority. As of 1 a.m., 75 units were assigned to the Bond fire. By 1 a.m. the fire was measured at 1,070 acres, up from 7 acres reported at 11:53 p.m. By 1:50 a.m. the fire was measured at 1,500 acres. It reached 2,000 acres by 4:35 a.m.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents in Silverado Canyon, Williams Canyon and Modjeska Canyon.
A voluntary evacuation warning was issued for Borrego Canyon, Foothill Ranch, Baker Ranch, Portola Hills, Live Oak Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Rose Canyon; and Valley Vista Way and Meadow Ridge Drive.
ROAD CLOSURE: Santiago Canyon Rd from Jackson Ranch to the 241 due to #BondFire. Please avoid the entire area for your safety. The fire is now 2,000 acres and growing rapidly. If you’re under mandatory evac order, please seek a safe location to stay.
— OCFA PIO (@OCFireAuthority) December 3, 2020
Click here for a map showing the mandatory evacuation area and areas under an evacuation warning.
Fire helicopters and a helitanker were assisting ground crews. OCFA and U.S. Forest Service crews were fighting the fire. More than 240 firefighters were attacking the fire.
Wind gusts in the Silverado Canyon area were about 25 to 26 mph at about 11:30 p.m., according to Miguel Miller, meteorologist with the National Weather Service San Diego.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department was responding to calls regarding the fire as well, according to Carrie Braun, public information officer. CHP units were in the area for selected road closures.
