Here’s the latest news on the Santiago Fire. As of today, the fire is 50% contained. However some 2,000 homes are still evacuated in the canyons, as the fire still poses a grave threat. Still, there is some good news to report. Flames swept into the Hamilton Oaks gated community in Trabuco Canyon earlier today. Firefighters drew protective lines around the houses, and now those lines appear to be holding. Perhaps the worst damage has been done, but we don’t know for sure yet.
In other news, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Stephen Miller announced today that a $70,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for starting the Santiago Fire. Miller urged tipsters to contact the OCFA’s arson tip line at 1-800-540-8282. Meanwhile, the Walt Disney Co. announced that it will give $2 million for fire relief efforts, starting with a $200,000 donation to the American Red Cross for immediate disaster relief. The rest of the money will be used for future recovery efforts.
As always, you can count on The Register for the latest updates on the fire. Also, check out Dissent the Blog for updates from locals on the ground, as well as awesomely terrifying photos of the fire. And of course, we’ll keep you updated on the fire here at The Liberal OC.
Just remember to keep the evacuees and the firefighters in your thoughts and prayers. They’re going through so much right now. Let’s hope some relief comes soon.
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ALL schools in Saddleback Valley Unified School District will be closed, tomorrow, Thursday 10/25–reason is poor air quality, and changing winds forcasted for tomorrow.
svusd.k12.ca.us
I just received a robo-call from the Superintendent. My three children attend an elementary school in Lake Forest. Smoke around here seems to be hovering over Lake Forest/Irvine Spectrum area. The air is stagnant; cars, plants, anything outside has a fine layer of ash–eerie.
i live in corona and the ashes and stuff down here have given me the worst allergic reaction i have ever had. i had to go home early from school because i passed out at lunch because of the smoke everywhere. they seriously need to find a way to stop the fire quicker because this is insane!