Emergency.Blog

FBI Assisting Local Authorities in O.C. Fire Investigation

Oct. 25, 2007 (KABC-TV)

FBI Assisting Local Authorities in O.C. Fire Investigation
Approximately 3,000 Homes Threatened and 43,000 Residents Evacuated

IRVINE, CA: A $120,000 reward for information leading to the arsonist who set the Santiago Fire in Orange County is being offered, as federal agents help local law enforcement investigate the still-burning wildfire.

The fire, started in three separate places near Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon roads about 5:55 p.m. Sunday, has destroyed 14 homes and eight outbuildings, according the Orange County Fire Authority. Eight homes and 12 outbuildings have been damaged.

About 22,000 acres in the mostly rural horse country east of Irvine has been blackened. Virtually every canyon community, including Trabuco, Modjeska and Silverado canyons, was evacuated.

Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the canyon areas of Santiago Canyon Road between Silverado Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road, including the Santiago Estates area and Jackson Ranch Road. Areas along Live Oak Canyon Road through the Trabuco Canyon area, including O'Neill Regional Park, to Trabuco Creek Road are also included in this mandatory evacuation.

Approximately 3,000 homes have been threatened and 43,000 residents have been evacuated.

"The Orange County Fire Authority is offering a $70,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the arsonist," OCFA Capt. Stephen Miller said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Thursday an additional $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting the fire.

Anyone with more information as to the cause of the fire is asked to call the Orange County Fire Authority arson tip line at (800) 540-8282.

-- Source/Continues at: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5719542

[ERRI emergency service analysts said that they have been informed that there are at least four (4) arson investigations on-going in S. California at this time, and that more may be begun, depending on preliminary inquiries into the source and origin of other wildfires. The identity and motives of any alleged arsonist(s) is presently not known. Watch this page for more official information as it develops...]