Evan J. LancasterThe Bond Fire, a wind-driven wildfire, was sparked in Silverado Canyon near Irvine after flames from a structure fire reached vegetation.
As of 5:30 a.m., Dec. 3, the Bond Fire reached 3,600 acres with no containment. The Orange County Fire Authority has issued mandatory evacuations for Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills west of El Toro and North of 241 Toll Road. Portola Hills is under voluntary evacuation warning.
In a Tweet, the Irvine Police Department said the fire was moving away from Irvine.
We are aware of the #BondFire burning in the area of Silverado Canyon. We are in constant communication with our partners at @OCFA_PIO. While the fire is visible from Irvine, it is moving away from the @City_of_Irvine and there is currently no threat to residents at this time. https://t.co/wRtWFut2pG
— Irvine Police Department (@IrvinePolice) December 3, 2020
“We continue to monitor the #BondFire and there is currently no threat to the City of Irvine. The Silverado Fire burn area is expected to provide a buffer for the City. Windy conditions are expected throughout the day and the City will be affected by smoke.”
There are more than 500 firefighters currently battling the blaze, with air support excepted throughout the day.
Approximately 500 firefighters are fighting the #BondFire. Helicopters are expected to resume operations this morning. Updated acres burned is approximately 3650.
Air quality is acceptable; however, consider limiting outdoor exertion. pic.twitter.com/48gxx8xFXS
— OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) December 3, 2020
By using the satellite imaging technology of FIRIS, a predictive fire tracking software, the OCTA added that the fire was moving South West. In a now deleted Tweet, the OCTA showed the potential growth of the Bond Fire.
The Bond Fire began on Wednesday, Dec. 2 around 11:00 p.m., when a structure fire reached near by vegetation, according to Tweets from the OCTA.
STRUCTURE FIRE: in Silverado Canyon that has extended into nearby vegetation. Firefighters on scene with fire helicopters and helitanker assisting from the air.
— OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) December 3, 2020
The Bond Fire blaze quickly reached more than 1,000 acres early Thursday morning, with residents in Modjeska Canyon placed under an evacuation warning around 1:00 a.m.
The Bond Fire is now the second wind-driven wildfire to hit Silverado Canyon this year. In October, the Silverado Fire burned more than 12,000 acres and caused the evacuation of more than 90,000 residents between Irvine and Lake Forest.
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