Firefighters Quickly Stop Blaze in Park

Fourth of July picnickers were briefly interrupted Thursday afternoon when a small grass fire developed near the southeastern border of the holiday-packed Irvine Regional Park.

Although the blaze was quickly contained and posed no threat to people or buildings, it caused some momentary confusion among park rangers and other law enforcement officials at the scene who encouraged some people to leave, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Scott Brown.

“The Fire Authority did not initiate an evacuation,” Brown said. “The fire-incident commander never felt it was a threat because the wind was blowing away from the park and we were confident based on the conditions and path that it would be contained.”

As firetrucks, helicopters and a 12-member hand crew began extinguishing the blaze shortly after they were dispatched at 1:49 p.m., an orderly exodus from the east gates began and police briefly turned away cars still arriving at the park.

In all, the fire covered five acres of grass, scrub oak and cactus--mostly located on the outside perimeter of the park--and was contained by 2:34 p.m. Investigators spent the afternoon searching for the cause.

“Fire conditions are still extremely hazardous,” Brown said, “and this should serve as a reminder to everyone to be careful.”