Firefighters gained ground over the weekend on containing the Bond fire in the Silverado Canyon area – though another bout of Santa Ana winds is expected to blow through the region into Tuesday, Dec. 8.
Fire officials said Monday morning the fire has been stopped at 60% of its perimeter, with its footprint remaining the same size it was on Friday, 7,375 acres.
“There is still potential in some areas for a strong wind event to spread the fire and threaten adjacent communities,” Cal Fire and Orange County Fire Authority said in a morning update.
Wind gusts are expected to be 30 miles per hour in the area, with some gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour.
“Gusty Santa Ana winds will develop (Monday) near the coastal slopes of the mountains and below passes and canyons,” a NWS forecast says. “The winds will strengthen (Monday night) … with the strongest and most widespread winds for late tonight into Tuesday.”
Humidity is expected to stay below 10%, exacerbating the fire danger.
More than 1,489 personnel were battling the blaze, which has destroyed 31 buildings and damaged another 21 since beging Wednesday, Dec. 2. Among the buildings lost are a historic property and an environmental school.
Over the weekend, all remaining evacuation orders were reduced to warnings, allowing resident to return to their homes.
But Silverado Canyon Road, which leads into the community, was still closed at Santiago Canyon Road.
Authorities have not said what started the fire, though a criminal investigation was underway on Friday at a house on Bond Way that caught fire shortly before the wildland blaze began.
Source: Orange County Register
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