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Freeway Complex Fire Narrowly Misses Irvine Ranch Wildlands More than 30,000 acres burn, including Chino Hills State Park Three weeks ago, the Freeway Complex Fire torched 30,305 acres in Northern Orange County. At 30,305 acres it was the largest blaze in recent memory in the county larger than last year’s Santiago Fire as well as the 1993 Laguna Beach Fire. In all, 190 homes were destroyed, and 123 damaged. Hardest hit was the City of Yorba Linda where 118 homes were lost. The fire narrowly missed the Irvine Ranch wildlands, crossing the 91 Freeway and burning several dozen acres in Gypsum and Coal Canyons before it was brought under control by. “Our hearts go out to everyone who was impacted by the fire especially those who were injured or lost their property. Some of our volunteers were directly affected.” says Michael O’Connell, Executive Director of IRC. “We extend our deepest thanks to our partners in the fire agencies who worked to minimize the effect of this incident on both human and natural communities.” The fire began early November 15th in Riverside County nearly five miles from the Irvine Ranch. Driven by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire moved rapidly west and burned more than 14,000 acres in the Chino Hills, including nearly all of Chino Hills State Park. Proving once again that fire breaks are of little value in wind driven fires, the blaze jumped eight lanes of the 91 Freeway late on the 15th and burned several homes and an apartment complex along the freeway. Thanks in large part to the tremendous efforts of the fire agencies; the fire was controlled quickly in the area, preventing further damage. During the peak of the fire an estimated 3,760 state, county, and city personnel were deployed. A total of 78 crews, 510 engines, 22 bulldozers, 10 water tenders, and three helicopters battled the inferno. The agencies even brought in their DC-10 jumbo jet to drop water and retardant on the fire. The Community Fire Watch Network that IRC participates in was fully deployed during the time. This fire started well off the Ranch but volunteers spent many hours stationed at other areas of risk for fire and called in several strange or difficult people and other emergency situations. Fire Watch was cancelled Sunday evening when the winds subsided. IRC Fire Watch volunteers helped report a separate fire on the 261 Toll Road and Santiago Canyon Road on November 14th (which was held to two acres). Volunteers were also deployed on the 16th to help prevent another fire that could have further stretched strained resources. “A giant "Thank You" to all of the volunteers who came out in force to help,” says David Raetz, Director of Public Programs, IRC. “They were presented with challenging conditions, sometimes difficult people at multiple locations, a fire emergency and general chaos in the Gypsum/Weir area. They put in hundreds of volunteer hours and helped protect the land and our communities.” The fire was finally controlled at 8 a.m. on November 25th – 10 days after it started. CAL FIRE continues to investigate the cause of this incident. If you would like more information about the Community Fire Watch Network please contact Dave Raetz at 714-508-4763 or visit www.irvineranchwildlands.org/firewatch/index.asp. 
The Santa Ana River bed on fire between Gypsum Canyon and Weir Canyon exits off the 91 freeway with the Anaheim hills in the weir canyon area of the Irvine Ranch in background.
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