Evacuation orders were issued for Orange and San Bernardino county residents near wildfire burn areas as a storm dumped heavy showers on the region, triggering flash flood and debris flow warnings through Southern California Tuesday.
Evacuation warnings were also in place near burn areas in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
With debris flows possible in the burn scar areas of the Palisades, Bobcat, Ranch2, Dam and Lake fires, residents were told to plan for possible evacuations, in case they are needed.
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Orange County mandatory evacuation orders
In Orange County, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the Bond Fire burn area late Tuesday morning for Williams, Modjeska and Silverado canyons due to flooding and debris flows, though by 5:50 p.m., the orders had been lifted for Williams and Modjeska canyons.
“Evacuation Orders remain for Silverado Canyon,” the Orange County Sheriff’s Department tweeted.
Multiple mud slides were reported in Silverado Canyon, with Orange County Fire Authority firefighters responding to rescue trapped residents. No injuries were reported.
Full road closures will be in place at canyon entrances, officials said.
The Bond Fire erupted in December last year, burning 6,686 acres and damaging dozens of structures.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the burn scar area, in effect through 9 p.m. Tuesday.
“Canyon residents are strongly encouraged to prepare and evacuate now, especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals,” county officials said earlier in the morning, before upgrading the evacuation warning to an order.
A reception center is available at the Lake Forest Sport Park located at 28000 Rancho Parkway in Lake Forest. Residents can head to Meeting Room A to wait out the storm.
Orange County evacuation map:
San Bernardino County evacuation orders
Evacuation orders were also issued in San Bernardino County for the El Dorado Fire and South Fire burn scar areas.
Residents in the following areas were asked to leave: Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Northeast Yucaipa, east of Bryant Street and North of Date Avenue, Highway 38 from Bryant to Angelus Oaks.
The neighborhood of Nealeys Corner, north of Lytle Creek Road to Meyers Canyon, in the Lytle Creek area was also subject to an evacuation order due to the potential for heavy mud and debris flow from the South Fire burn area.
“With the rain intensifying, flash floods happen fast. Crews may not be able to get to you. If you are under evacuation orders, leave now,” San Bernardino County Fire tweeted Tuesday morning.
Evacuation centers were set up at:
- The Jessie Turner Community Center on 15556 Summit Ave. in Fontana
- Redlands East Valley High School at 31000 E. Colton Ave. in Redlands
Animals can be taken to Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino. For the animal evacuation center, contact San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control at 800-472-5609.
San Bernardino County evacuation map:
Santa Barbara County evacuations
Santa Barbara received a record-breaking 0.9 inches of rain Monday, beating its previous record of 0.15 inches in 1941, according to the National Weather Service.
A flash flood watch was in effect in Santa Barbara County through noon Tuesday over the burn scar left by the Alisal Fire, which charred more than 16,900 acres in the Santa Ynez Mountains in October.
An evacuation order that went into effect Monday was canceled around 2 p.m. Tuesday for the areas west of Las Flores Canyon, east of Mariposa Reina, south of West Camino Cielo and down to the ocean.
Evacuated residents were allowed to return home Tuesday, but were warned to watch out for flooding, slick roads and debris in the area.
Drivers were warned not to to drive while it is dark or raining near the burn area, since roads may be damaged and vehicles may be swept away by moving water or debris.
Commuters who typically use the 101 Freeway through the Gaviota Coast and CA-154 on Tuesday morning were told to check road conditions, and consider working remotely if possible.
Los Angeles County evacuation warnings
A flood advisory was issued for Los Angeles County through 10 a.m., with minor flooding expected in low lying and poor drainage areas, and shallow mud and debris flows around the burn areas.
In Monrovia, an evacuation warning was issued for residents living in the areas of Ridgeside Drive and Oakglade Drive.
Also under an evacuation warning are the areas of Valyermo, Juniper Hills and Devil’s Punchbowl near the Bobcat Fire burn scar, and the area of Lake Hughes and Kings Canyon Road near Lake Fire burn scar.
Residents in those burn areas can contact the American Red Cross at 800-675-5799 if they need help finding shelter.
Riverside County evacuation warning
In Riverside County, an evacuation warning was issued near the burn scar areas from the Apple and El Dorado fires.
“Residents in and around the burn areas should remain vigilant and be prepared for possible evacuations with little to no warning,” county officials said.
A care and reception center was set up at the Albert A Chatigny Senior Center at 1310 Oak Valley Parkway in Beaumont for residents who choose to voluntarily evacuate.
Riverside County evacuation warning map: