Fire Crews Make Progress on OC Fire

Near Anaheim Hills - A wind-driven wildfire in the Irvine Ranch Nature Conservancy was nearly under control tonight and expected to be put out Thursday.

The wildfire whipped by gusts of nearly 50 mph grew to about 80 acres today while fire crews toiled in occasional blizzards of embers to keep flames away from homes two miles to the west in Anaheim Hills. By this evening there were little to no flames left and firefighters were on patrol for spot fires, McKeown said.

The so-called 241 Fire was 90 percent contained, or surrounded, this evening, while relatively low-rising flames spread southwest over grassy slopes toward Irvine Lake and away from Anaheim Hills, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

The fire, which started near the Eastern Transportation (241) Toll Road and Windy Ridge, was reported just before 10 p.m. Tuesday. Its origin is under investigation.

One firefighter suffered a minor eye injury battling the blaze this morning, according to Capt. Greg McKeown of the Orange County Fire Authority.

The property is part of the Irvine Ranch Nature Conservancy and the Santa Ana Mountain range that extends into the Cleveland National Forest.

Additional ground crews arrived early today and about 200 firefighters worked to hem in the fire as of midmorning, fire spokeswoman Lynnette Round said. By the evening, the number of firefighters had fallen to 62 firefighters, with five engines and one hand crew battling the blaze, McKeown said.

In addition to hand crews, the helicopter crew, and air support, resources assigned to the blaze this morning included four tanker truck crews and 15 engines, Round said.

Some crews were working with hoses and shovels to try to control the fire, but they faced challenging conditions.

Sustained winds of 32 mph and gusts to 53 mph fueled the blaze before midnight, said weather service meteorologist Steve Vanderburg. By early today the area was buffeted with sustained winds of about 30 mph, with gusts up to 48 mph, he said.

No evacuations or school closings were necessary, McKeown said.

The 241 toll road was initially closed from the Riverside Freeway south to Santiago Canyon Road, but southbound lanes were open early this morning. The northbound side reopened about 5:45 a.m., according to the CHP.

A National Weather Service red flag warning, signifying the potential for explosive fire growth, is in effect until at least 10 a.m. Thursday because of the strong winds and low relative humidity. A high of 85 degrees is expected Thursday. Friday's high should be 72 degrees, according to the NWS.

Previous wildfires in the area include:

-- The Sierra Fire, which burned more than 10,000 acres in Orange and Anaheim Hills, from Feb. 6-12, 2006, after a controlled backfire re-kindled in the Cleveland National Forest, causing eight injuries but no structural damage.

-- The 241/Windy Ridge Fire, which burned more than 2,000 acres near the toll road from March 11-13, 2007. It was sparked by a car fire and caused two injuries while damaging three structures.