Multiple Homes Burn, Evacuations Ordered In Anaheim Hills Fire
ANAHEIM (CBSLA) — Several homes were destroyed, more than 1,000 more were evacuated and 5,000 structures were threatened with 24 destroyed as of Monday night in a brush fire that broke out along the Riverside (91) Freeway in Anaheim Hills.
California Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency due to the fire.
The fire was estimated to be around 2,000 acres after it broke out around 9:45 a.m. near the 91 and Gypsum Canyon Road in Anaheim Hills, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz.
Officials said the fire had grown to 6,000 acres as of 9 p.m. Monday night. More than 220 firefighters, 10 choppers and 12 planes were battling the blaze late Monday afternoon. The number of firefighters on the scene increased to 1,000 by Monday night.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Orange Park Acres, North Tustin and parts of Orange.
Dubbed Canyon Fire 2, the fire was burning about a mile from the area scorched by the recent Canyon Fire that blackened more than 2,600 acres and took more than a week to contain.
By mid-afternoon, at least six homes on Canyon Heights near Banner Ridge Drive had burned as the flames jumped west over the 241 toll road, with at least four homes completely gutted by the flames.
A firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation, but was not seriously hurt, Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt says.
Fire officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for homes west of the 241 toll road, south of Santa Ana Canyon Road and east of Weir Canyon Road/Serrano Avenue, according to Anaheim police. Evacuations were also extended to the city of Orange.
An evacuation shelter was also in place at the East Anaheim Community Center, 8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road.
Students at Running Springs and Anaheim Hills elementary schools were evacuated and taken to Canyon High School.
At 2:30 p.m. Chapman University announced that the school's Orange campus will be closed until further notice. Santiago Canyon College announced that the campus was being evacuated and that classes were canceled the rest of the day.
Orange Unified School District announced that nine schools will be closed tomorrow due to the fire. Click here for information on the schools that will be closed.
Authorities reported Monday evening that the two eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway had reopened.
Residents are urged to call 714-765-4333 for fire information.
This is a breaking news report. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
