Countywide : Fire Season Starts; Brushland Closed Off

The Orange County Fire Department declared the start of fire season Monday and closed about 165,000 acres of brushland to the public.

The coming hot weather and dry Santa Ana winds cause hillside grass and brush to dry out and become fire hazards, said Maria Sabol, a spokeswoman for the County Fire Department.

Excessive rainfall has also created an abundance of light vegetation and grasses.

Orange County had 22.47 inches of rain from October to April, almost double the average of 11.99, said Steve Burback, a meteorologist at WeatherData, which provides forecasts to The Times.

In 1991, the two largest fires in the county burned nearly 180 acres. That number seems small compared to 13,567 acres damaged in 1990, according to the County Fire Department.

The largest blaze last year only blackened about nine acres. It was one of 300 brush fires in the season, Sabol said.

This year, the thick chaparral and acres of grassland have all begun drying and are ready fuel for fire.

“All conditions warrant that we open up the fire season,” Sabol said.

The closure does not restrict property owners from using their land but is meant to keep out trespassers who might start fires, Sabol said.

Six warning signs have been posted at entrances to the four major canyons in the county: Silverado, Williams, Modjeska and Trabuco. And 2,000 smaller signs of can be seen in other areas.

“They’re bright yellow with red lettering and you can’t miss them,” Sabol said.

Property owners in general can help protect their homes from fires by clearing branches and grass around their residences. “It all helps,” she said.

Residents who see anyone suspicious in closed grassland areas should call the Orange County Fire Department at (714) 744-0496, she added.

“We’ll come and investigate,” Sabol said. “Sometimes all it takes is to ask the person to leave.”

Areas closed Monday include:

* North of the Brea city limits to the county line;

* Between Brea and the Yorba Linda wilderness area;

* East of the Yorba Linda wilderness to the county line;

* South from the Riverside Freeway to O’Neill Regional Park;

* West from Cleveland National Forest to Anaheim Hills, Tustin, Irvine, Irvine Boulevard and Trabuco Road in El Toro;

* East of Rose Canyon to Cleveland National Forest.;

* East of Dove Canyon to Cleveland National Forest;

* East of Coto de Caza to Cleveland National Forest;

* Areas between Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza and Dove Canyon;

* From the southern tip of Coto de Caza south to the county line;

* West from Cleveland National Forest to Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente;

* South of Bonita Canyon Drive, Sand Canyon Avenue and the San Diego Freeway to Pacific Coast Highway;

* West of Laguna Canyon Road to Newport Beach;

* East of Laguna Canyon Road to the Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Park; and

* South of Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Park to Laguna Beach.

Brushland Prone to Burning To reduce the potential property loss and threat to life, and to help prevent wild-land fires, the Orange County Fire Department warned that the fire season has arrived. Fire Prevention: Use only fire rings and barbecue pits for any open warming or cooking fires. Smoking is prohibited in hazardous fire areas. Keep matches and lighters away from children and prevent any misuse. Discharge of fireworks is prohibited in the wild-land areas, all unincorporated areas and in most cities within Orange County. Source: Orange County Fire Department