MISSION VIEJO : 3 Homes Damaged by Hot Brush Fire

The first brush fire of the season damaged three homes on Tuesday, sparking renewed worries among fire officials that the county may be in for an unusually destructive summer.

“I can’t believe it,” said Orange County Fire Department Capt. Dan Young about the blaze, called in at 1:17 p.m. “This is August-type of stuff.”

The fire, which burned about an acre of dry brush behind homes in the 2400 block of Chamalea Drive, was brought under control in 35 minutes, Young said.

By the time firefighters arrived, flames were leaping up to 20 feet above the dried brush that dotted the vacant land behind the homes.

Despite overcast skies and high humidity, the flames spread quickly up a slope toward the homes.

“It just ran right up the side of the hill and torched the homes,” Young said.

Three homes on Chamalea sustained minimal damage to their roofs, Young said; a fourth had damage to landscaping. Total damage was estimated at $2,350.

For the last few months, fire officials have been warning that intense growth during the March rainfall will exacerbate the fire season, which opened May 15.

Crews have been working feverishly to mow down much of the wild grass near outlying neighborhoods and bulldoze firebreaks in the most worrisome rural areas.

Young said Tuesday’s fire only emphasizes the potential that 1991 could be the most devastating fire season in years.

“I think we’re in trouble,” Young said. “To have these kinds of burning conditions on an overcast day is very disturbing.”

As crews doused the flames in the field, which is along a flood control channel, other firefighters climbed atop the homes and pulled off smoldering shingles ignited by blowing embers.

Fire officials suggested that residents living next to grassy fields should clear vegetation as far away as 100 feet before the county is hit with high temperatures and Santa Ana winds.

Owners of homes with shake roofs--notorious fire spreaders--should take special precautions, Young said.