YORBA LINDA : Patrols, Vigilance Stamp Out Fires

Increased police patrols in the city’s brush-covered hills and vigilance by residents have led to the arrest of five people suspected of setting three fires in the city’s hill country and also averted a major fire near the Forum Theatre.

Two of the four fires were discovered by police officers, including a brush fire spotted last Wednesday in a remote area behind the North Orange County Community College District Adult Continuing Education Center on Fairmont Boulevard, near the Forum Theatre.

“That fire had the potential to be a major one,” said Assistant City Manager David Gruchow. “It was discovered after midnight, and the winds were really blowing. God only knows what would have happened if it hadn’t been spotted.”

Brea police, which provides police service to Yorba Linda, late last month shifted several police officers from normal patrol areas to fire-watch duty in high-risk areas, including the city’s northern and eastern hills. The patrols concentrate on the brush-covered hills and other high-risk areas.

No one was caught in that incident, but on the same day, a resident spotted two teen-agers trying to ignite brush with road flares near Camino de Bryant and La Palma Avenue. The resident called the police, who arrested the two youths, ages 15 and 17.

The day before, two 14-year-old boys were also arrested after setting a fire near Trail View Place and Yorba Ranch Road. A resident extinguished the fire, detained the boys and called police.

The most recent fire was discovered by police about 3 p.m. on a hillside near Kellogg Drive and Imperial Highway. Kenneth Bordeaux Carter, 27, a transient from Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of arson and is being held in Orange County Jail pending the outcome of an investigation.

None of the fires caused major damage. The special patrols are expected to continue until after the first rain.