Silverado • Emergency evacuation • Irvine • Wildfires • Orange County Fire Authority • Southern California
Two firefighters badly burned as two wildfires in California's Orange County prompt evacuation of 71,000 homes LOS ANGELES – Two rapidly spreading wildfires prompted the evacuation of 92,000 homes in two cities in upscale sections of Southern California's Orange County, fire officials said Monday. More than 500 firefighters turned out in force to battle the flames that quickly blackened more than 7,200 acres after breaking out in the Silverado Canyon area. As a precaution, residents in 70,000 homes were ordered evacuated, Fire Capt. Greg Barta said. Two members of a fire hand crew were badly burned fighting the fires, the OCFA said. The two, ages 26 and 32, suffered second- and third-degree burns on at least half of their bodies. "They are gravely injured. Their families are with them," said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. "We are giving them all the support we can." As if that wasn't enough, the Blue Ridge Fire broke out in the afternoon in Chino Hills,