Canyon 2 fire 100% contained, but authorities still searching for inmate firefighter who walked away
The wildfire that scorched thousands of acres in northeast Orange County was declared fully contained Tuesday morning, but authorities were still searching for a prisoner who walked away from an inmate firefighting crew that helped battle the blaze.
The Canyon 2 fire burned more than 9,200 acres and destroyed or damaged nearly 60 homes in Anaheim Hills, according to Orange County Fire Authority Captain Larry Kurtz. The blaze also temporarily shut down the Highway 241 toll road that connects OC to the inland empire.
Four firefighters suffered minor injuries, Kurtz said. No civilians were reported injured.
As the fire was dying down, 31-year-old inmate Armando Castillo went missing. Castillo, who was serving a five-year sentence for possession of a firearm and driving recklessly while evading a peace officer, was assigned to a crew of inmates assisting the firefighting effort near Peters Canyon Regional Park, authorities said. He was scheduled to be released on probation in May of 2018.
Castillo, who is 5-foot-11 and weighs about 190 pounds, was last seen on Sunday at 4:45 p.m., before the firefighting inmates returned to their camp in San Bernardino.
There are still about 60 personnel on scene checking for hot spots near the fire’s perimeter, Kurtz said. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Anaheim Fire Department, he said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
