Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
241 Fire: Irvine Lake campgrounds under evacuation due to brush fire
An abandoned structure burns above Irvine Lake Monday afternoon at the 241 Fire. The second structure in the foreground also burned later.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
The 241 Fire burns off Santiago Canyon Road as Orange County Fire Authority fire engines position to fight the fire Monday.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A CAL FIRE strike team leader observes the 241 Fire Monday afternoon as a vacant structure burns. The structure was allegedly slated for demolition, and the decision was made not to defend the building, which was surrounded by heavy uncleared brush.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
The 241 Fire makes a push up a ridge line off Santiago Canyon Road Monday afternoon. The fire burned approximately 150 acres.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
An Erickson Aero Tanker drops flame retardant on a ridge line above Irvine Lake at the 241 Fire in Orange County Monday afternoon.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
An abandoned structure burns above Irvine Lake Monday afternoon at the 241 Fire.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
An abandoned structure burns above Irvine Lake Monday afternoon at the 241 Fire.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
An inmate hand crew prepares to hike and cut fire line Monday afternoon at the 241 Fire in Orange County off Santiago Canyon Rd.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
An Erickson Aero Tanker drops flame retardant at the 241 Fire adjacent to the 241 Tollroad in Orange County Monday afternoon.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A CAL FIRE S2 tanker makes a retardant drop above Santiago Canyon Road Monday afternoon at the 241 Fire. By afternoon the fire had burned approximately 150 acres.
The 241 burns off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County Monday July 13, 2015. The fire was allegedly started by accident when a Cal Trans crew was mowing near the 241 freeway Monday morning. By mid-afternoon the fire burned approximately 125 acres.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A vacant home burns near Irvine Lake in the 241 Fire on Monday, July 13, 2015.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A brush fire burning near the 241 toll road in Orange County was threatening structures on Monday, July 13, 2015, and prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for the campgrounds at Irvine Lake.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
An unidentified structure burns in Irvine as the 241 Fire spread on July 13, 2015.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A brush fire burning near the 241 toll road in Orange County was threatening structures on Monday, July 13, 2015, and prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for the campgrounds at Irvine Lake.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A brush fire burning near the 241 toll road in Orange County was threatening structures on Monday, July 13, 2015, and prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for the campgrounds at Irvine Lake.
(
Stuart Palley for KPCC
)
A brush fire threatening structures near the 241 toll road in Orange County Monday prompted authorities to evacuate the campgrounds at Irvine Lake.
Authorities received a report at 10:45 a.m. of a vegetation fire near the northbound 241 just south of Santiago Canyon Road, and the fire grew quickly from there, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi.
By mid-day, the 241 Fire had grown to 150 acres, burned two abandoned outbuildings and threatened about 15 more structures around the Irvine Lake area, Concialdi told KPCC. By late afternoon it had grown to 180 acres, and was about 50 percent contained.
"Even though we have light wind out here, the vegetation is extremely dry due to the fourth year of a pretty significant drought," Concialdi said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department said via Twitter it assisted with the evacuation of up to 15 people.
Everyone at the campgrounds was brought to a safe refuge area by the sheriff's department and the California Highway Patrol, Concialdi said.
Sponsored message
Santiago Canyon Road was closed between the 241 and Modjeska Canyon, according to the Orange County Emergency Operations Center.
With rising temperatures and extremely dry vegetation, firefighters were facing a "long, hard-fought battle," Concialdi said.
Five helicopters and three air tankers were providing support for fire crews on the ground.
Concialdi said this was just the start of a very active fire season.
"We're going to see this throughout the year just because it's so dry and the vegetation is at an extremely tinderbox condition," he said.
This story has been updated.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
