Santiago Fire Update, October 27 Evening
Incident: Santiago Wildland Fire
Released: 10/28/2007
Acres: 27,521 Acres Percent Containment: 35% Line to Build: 10 miles
Estimated Control: No Estimate
Equipment:
Hand Crews: 33 Dozers: 18 Engines: 212 Water Tenders: 13
Air Tankers: 4 Helicopters: 13 Overhead Personnel: 186 Total Personnel: 1,982
Injuries: 5 Estimated Cost: $6,000,000
Current Situation: Today's cooler temperatures and higher humidity assisted fire fighting efforts by diminishing the fire activity. The fire continued to back down Silverado Canyon at a slow rate of spread. Dozers continue to work to tie in control lines between Silverado Canyon and the North Main Divide.
There was no major fire growth to the south today. The fire continues to progress towards the Main Divide and Riverside County Line but it has not crossed the county line. Structure protection is in place at all evacuated communities and at the Modjeska and Santiago Peak communications sites. Retardant drops have reinforced 2.5 miles of the fire lines along the county border. Contingency plans have been formulated and decision points established to protect communities in Riverside County. The fire continues to move towards the east and north and Modjeska Peak, Silverado, and Lost Woman Canyons. The fire is burning in extremely heavy fuels on the Cleveland National Forest. Weather has moderated today, but all fuels remain quite dry.
Planned Actions: : Maintain public and fire fighter safety. Construction of a secondary fire line along the Orange/Riverside County line will continue in an effort to prevent the fire from moving into Riverside County and to limit fire size. Firefighters also are constructing fire line from Bedford Peak to Silverado Canyon.
Arson Investigation: The investigation is being conducted by the Santiago Fire Investigation Team including Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff's Department, ATF, and FBI.
The Investigation Team requests information on a white 1998 - 2004 Ford pickup truck, Model F-150, standard cab with chrome tube running boards. This vehicle is believed to have been in the vicinity of Santiago Canyon Rd. on Sunday, October 21, 2007. 780 tips have been received thus far. Please contact the arson tip line at 800-540-8282. A $250,000 reward has been established.
Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations are in place for the canyon areas off Santiago Canyon Road between Silverado Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road, including the Santiago Estates area and Jackson Ranch Road. Areas along Live Oak Canyon Road through the Trabuco Canyon area, including O'Neill Regional Park to Trabuco Creek Road are also included in this mandatory evacuation.
Road Closures: Santiago Canyon road south of the 241 Toll Road to Live Oak Canyon Road. All of Live Oak Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, and Plano Trabuco Road north of Robinson Ranch Road (northbound only). Check with Cal Trans for freeway and toll road closures; 800/427-7623. Check with your local police department for city street closures or the OC Sheriff at 714/647-7000.
