Silverado Fire in Orange County Now 82% Contained at 12,466 Acres

IRVINE (CNS) - The Silverado Fire burning in Orange County was 82% contained this morning, with only light winds expected over the next couple of days.

The overall acreage burned was revised from 12,395 to 12,466, Cal Fire reported.

"Firefighters worked today constructing additional containment lines ahead of Sunday's northeasterly wind event," an agency spokesperson said. "Crews will maintain active patrol this evening mopping up the fire perimeter."

Nine structures have been damaged, and three structures and two "minor structures" were destroyed in the fire.

More than 69,000 buildings were threatened by the flames at one point, but by Friday night, none were at risk.

All evacuation orders and warnings were lifted Thursday morning and some highways were reopened. Silverado Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road were opened Friday, according to Cal Fire.

At its height, 70,000 people were under evacuation orders in Irvine and another were 9,500 evacuated in Lake Forest, according to the Orange County Fire Authority and Lake Forest officials.

Fire officials also said northbound Highway 241, from Alton Parkway to Highway 261, as well as southbound Highway 241 from Highway 133 to Alton Parkway, remained closed. Northbound Highway 133, from Interstate 5 to Highway 241, was also closed Friday night.

Cal Fire, which is in charge of the firefighting effort, has been cleaning up areas under control and watching for flareups.

OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy said there has been no change in the condition of two firefighters who remain in hospitalized in critical condition. The firefighters -- who are 26 and 31 years old -- sustained second- and third- degree burns at about 12:15 p.m. Monday, one over 65% of his body and the other over half his body, Fennessy said.

Those wishing to donate to the injured firefighters can contribute to the OCPFA Fallen Firefighters Relief Fund at www.ocfirefighters.org.

The Frank R. Bowerman Landfill in Irvine was damaged in the fire, according to Orange County Waste & Recycling, which owns and operates the

landfill. "OCWR staff have reported significant damage to the environmental control and stormwater infrastructure" resulting from multiple spot fires throughout the landfill property, OCWR said Wednesday.

None of the landfill's structures or heavy equipment were damaged, however, and no injuries were reported.

High winds, which handicapped firefighters when the fire broke out Monday, were much less of a factor on Wednesday and Thursday.

The fire erupted at 6:47 a.m. Monday in the area of Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon roads in the Santa Ana Mountains.

Late Monday, Southern California Edison told California officials that a lashing wire may have contacted its overhead primary conductor, sparking the fire. SCE sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission on Monday night acknowledging it had overhead electrical equipment in the area where the blaze broke out.

Full containment isn't expected until Nov. 10.


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