Fast-moving brush fire burning near Anaheim-Corona border prompts evacuations
ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters battled a fast-moving brush fire burning along the 91 Freeway near the border of Anaheim and Corona Monday afternoon, which prompted evacuations.
The brush fire, officially named the Canyon Fire, was reported near the eastbound 91 at Coal Canyon Road, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
The acreage was first estimated at 25-30 acres and within hours exploded to at least 2,000 acres, according to fire officials. By Monday evening, it was only 5 percent contained.
Evacuations were issued for streets in Corona: Dominguez Ranch, San Alamada Road, San Ponte Road, San Viscaya Circle, San Sebastian Circle, San Ramon, San Alvarado, Mt. Elena Circle, Mt. Tesoro, Mt. Palmas and Mt. Cantara.
Dominguez Ranch Road was closed at Green River Road to incoming traffic. By 7 p.m., evacuation orders were expanded to areas south of Green River Road from the 91 Freeway to Trudy Lane at Orchard Glen.
In a tweet, Anaheim Fire and Rescue stated that Dominguez Ranch was evacuated with an estimated 300 homes. In total about 600 residents were evacuated from Corona, officials said.
A shelter was set up at Corona High School, 1150 W. 10th St.
Residents in one evacuated neighborhood saw flames swirl around their homes.
"The wind obviously shifted directions. It was heading toward Orange County, and then it did a 180 and headed back extremely fast. Then once it got into our boxed canyon, it's almost like the wind was swirling around and embers were flying everywhere," resident Rick Krumes said.
The Corona Fire Department also tweeted that John Adams Elementary School, Cesar Chavez Academy, Coronita Elementary School and Prado View Elementary School would be closed Tuesday.
By 4:30 p.m., the winds shifted and caused the fire to burn back toward the eastbound side of the 91 Freeway. Firefighters were burning fuel along the freeway near the roadway to keep the blaze from spreading into the area.
There were more than 300 firefighters on the ground, along with five water-dropping helicopters and three fixed-wing aircrafts, authorities said.
Traffic was heavily impacted as Caltrans officials closed three of seven lanes on the eastbound 91 just east of Coal Canyon Road, as well as the 241 Freeway.
Authorities said traffic will continue to be heavy on the freeways for the Tuesday morning commute.
The blaze was moving so quickly, it was making its way into Chino Hills State Park from Pipeline Road.
No injures had been reported, but one home was damaged and a semi-truck trailer burned.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
