A bush fire that started in Cleveland National Forest in Trabuco Canyon, California between Orange and Riverside counties on Monday continues to burn out of control. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts assisted 1,200 firefighters Thursday night to try to keep the fire from reaching homes in the foothill neighborhoods of Lake Elsinore.
Cleveland National Forest officials stated early Friday morning that the wildfire burned 18,137 acres overnight. On Thursday, that number was 6,200. It is still only 5% contained.
Holy Jim and Trabuco Canyon areas, as well as Blue Jay and Flacon campgrounds were evacuated Monday night. As of Tuesday, flames started reaching into Riverside County.
As of Thursday morning, about 20,000 resides from Horsethief Canyon, McVicker, Rice, El Cariso, Glen Eden, Sycamore Creek, Rancho Capistrano have been given mandatory evacuations.
Areas on standby include: Sycamore Creek, Horsethief Canyon Ranch, and El Cariso Village.
VIIRS satellite hotspot data of the area is updated continually here. (Please note: When satellite hotspot data first appears on a map it is already about 3 hours old.)
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a smoke advisory report effective through Saturday. The smoke is expected to reach unhealthy levels.
“Winds will be from the west/southwest today before transitioning to a southerly wind during the overnight hours. During the overnight and early morning hours, downslope winds may bring smoke and ash into the valleys adjacent to the fire,” the reports reads.
The advisory is for residents within Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
Most of the week, water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts have been trying to stop the fire from the air but have been faced with much difficulty because of the dry and hot windy weather.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation with extremely low humidity and high winds. New fires will grow rapidly out of control, in some cases people may not be able to evacuate safely in time should a fire approach,” one weather report said.
Here Are Some Recent Photos of The Fire:
Scenes from last night at the #holyfire in the Robin Hood Oaks neighborhood that is next to Grand Ave.
From Westwind Dr. today #HolyFire 08-09-18
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmT3kUWHn9z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
“You could just hear the crackle.” Winds, temperatures expected to pick up again today after #HolyFire‘s destructive day yesterday t.co/SDBxahIR54
According to CNN, Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, is being held at Orange County Jail on suspicion of two counts of felony arson, a count of felony threat to terrorize and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
According to a local news station, Clark refused to show in court yesterday, but is scheduled again for tomorrow.
If convicted, the charges could lock him up for life, said Susan Schroeder of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
“Arson is a terrible crime that destroys dreams,” she said in Wednesday’s press conference.
The University of California San Diego posted a time-lapse of the fire when it first started, showing how quickly it spread.
According to fire authorities, the fire has destroyed 12 structures so far.
Some Residents of Lake Elsinore Shared Footage of How The Fire Looks Today, Friday, August 10th
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmRcYGYgZ0A/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This interactive map of Holy Fire shows the affected areas:
You can keep an eye on other California fires here:
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