Updated December 4, 2020 | 12:57 p.m. PST
The Bond Fire in Orange County, California is looking better today, Friday, December 4, but there is still much that needs to be done before it is contained.
More accurate mapping shows that 6,400 acres have burned. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) reports that 11 aircraft are assigned to the fire. Air tankers and helicopters are working off Santiago Canyon Road between Modjeska Canyon and Silverado Canyon.
Some evacuation orders have been lifted. A map maintained by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has the details.
The two forestry technicians based on the Angeles National Forest who were injured Thursday were treated and released from the hospital that night. One sustained a leg injury and the other suffered minor bruising. The person with the leg injury had been flown in an OCFA helicopter to the hospital, while the other was transported in a ground ambulance.
All roads have reopened except for Santiago Canyon Road, according to the OCFA.
Still seeing tanker and helicopter drops for the Bond Fire
This is Tanker 104, an MD-87 aircraft doing a drop at around 9:50AM
Tanker 104 operated by Erickson Aero tanker is a former Iberia and SAS passenger aircraft, converted into a tanker#BondFire pic.twitter.com/CB86rO9AY0
— Nick Pandher (@nickpandher) December 4, 2020
Updated December 3, 2020 | 4:11 p.m. PST
The images taken of the Bond Fire from nearby mountain tops have shown decreased activity in the hours after noon on Thursday.
Updated December 3, 2020 | 1:48 p.m PST
The Orange County Fire Authority reports the Bond Fire has burned 7,200 acres. Most of the spread over the last few hours has been to the west and it has reached Highway 241. Firefighters are working on suppressing spot fires across the highway.
The OCFA announced that two firefighters have been injured and transported to a hospital.
A map maintained by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has detailed evacuation information.
Major roads that are closed include portions of 241, 261, and E. Santiago Canyon.
Updated December 3, 2020 | 10:53 a.m. PST
The wind has shifted at the Bond Fire. Most of the night it was from the northeast, but after 9:30 a.m. it became more variable, predominately coming from the east and southeast at the weather station in Silverado Canyon. This is pushing the fire to the west and occasionally the northwest, closer to Irvine Lake.
The Orange County Fire Authority reported, “there may be multiple structures damaged from the fire. We are in the process of verifying the number involved and the extent of damage.”
The OCFA estimates it has burned 4,000 acres.
There are four helicopters and five air tankers working the fire. More air tankers are en route.
The map above shows heat detected at the Bond Fire in Orange County Southern California by satellites. Its accuracy has not been confirmed and may exaggerate the size and extent of the fire.
December 3, 2020 | 9:03 a.m. PST
A structure fire that started Wednesday night at 10:15 in Silverado Canyon east of Irvine, California spread into the vegetation while being pushed by strong winds out of the northeast. (see map above)
Thursday morning mandatory evacuations are in effect for several areas near Santiago Canyon Road — a map maintained by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has the detailed information.
At 7:47 a.m. Thursday the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) estimated it had burned 3,650 acres. Approximately 500 firefighters are assigned.
The blaze is moving to the southwest toward Santiago Canyon Road. If it crosses the road it could bump into the area burned in the Silverado Fire. But according to modeling released by the OCFA it may burn around the east side of that October fire and threaten homes near Modjeska Canyon, Ridgeline Road, Foothill Ranch, and Portola Hills. It could also burn around the north side toward Irvine Lake.
At 7:50 a.m. Thursday the Southern California Edison weather station in Silverado Canyon recorded 58 degrees, 13 percent relative humidity, and 20 mph winds gusting out of the northeast at 37 mph.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the area through Saturday. The weather forecast for the fire area on Thursday is for 68 degrees, single-digit RH, and 22 to 34 mph east-northeast or northeast winds gusting at 24 to 55 mph.
When fire fuels and slope align #bondfire pic.twitter.com/gCGy12qZM2
— Stuart Palley (@stuartpalley) December 3, 2020
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Jim.
