Santiago fire deliberately set at 3 spots, official says

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Lake Forest:

An Orange County Fire Authority spokesman said the Santiago Fire had burned 15,000 acres by 2 p.m. and was 30% contained. The blaze was leaping relentlessly in a south, southeasterly direction, burning ominously close to the Foothill Ranch and Portola Hill comunities in Lake Forest. Officials called for a voluntary evacuation of the two communities, directing residents to El Toro High School, which was used as an evacuation center.

The Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park was also in the fire’s path.

About 500 firefighters and two water-carrying helicopters stood between the fire and hundreds of homes, said Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion. Local firefighters were holding their own, but said they could use the help of colleagues who were sent to Malibu on Sunday to fight the fire there. Concepcion said Orange County sent 15 engines and 48 firefighters to help battle the Malibu fire. Some returned Monday to help with the Santiago Fire, but not all, Concepcion said.

‘We would also love to have fixed-wing aircraft [to help suppress the fire], but the wind is erratic and not safe,’ he said. ‘We would [also] like to have more help from outside agencies, but unfortunately surrounding counties are a little busy.’

Concepcion said investigators determined that the fire was deliberately set near Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon roads in three locations ‘close enough to each other to be considered points of origin and suspicious.’ He declined to identify the propellant suspected in the arson.

Four firefighters reported minor injuries. No houses have been lost, but two outbuildings were damaged and one destroyed.

-- David Reyes