Silverado Fire

Silverado Fire
Silverado Fire seen near sunset on October 26, 2020 from Mission Viejo
Date(s)
  • October 26, 2020 (2020-10-26) –
  • November 7, 2020 (2020-11-07)
LocationSantiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon roads, east of Irvine, in southern Orange County, California
Coordinates33°44′17″N 117°43′49″W / 33.737957°N 117.730187°W / 33.737957; -117.730187
Statistics
Burned area13,390 acres (5,419 ha)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries2
Ignition
CauseUnder Investigation
Map
Silverado Fire is located in California
Silverado Fire
Location in California

The Silverado Fire[1] was a wildfire that burned in October and November 2020 in southern Orange County, California northeast of Irvine.[2] The fire started on October 26 around 6:47 AM near Orange County Route S-18 (Santiago Canyon Road) and Silverado Canyon Road, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds gusting up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) and low humidity.[3] Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy stated, "The winds were extraordinary even by Santa Ana standards. Fire spread is exceeding more than anything I've seen in my 44 years."[4] The fire initially moved south from Loma Ridge toward the Orchard Hills, Northwood and Portola Springs communities of Irvine before moving southeast through Limestone Canyon and toward the communities of Foothill Ranch and Lake Forest.[5][6] The fire burned in a path similar to that taken by the 2007 Santiago Fire, mostly through terrain that had not seen significant burning in the 13 years since that fire.[7] 100% containment was announced on November 7, 2020.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Southern California Edison officials stated in a letter[8] to the California Public Utilities Commission that they suspect a "lashing wire" from one of T-Mobile's telecommunication lines may have contacted one of its electric lines.[9][10]

  1. ^ Alma Fausto, Erika I. Ritchie (October 26, 2020). "70,000 told to evacuate as Silverado fire quickly swells to 500 acres". Orange County Register. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Jorge Fitz-Gibbon (October 26, 2020). "Silverado Fire: California blaze forces 70,000 to evacuate". New York Post. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  3. ^ Alex Wigglesworth, Hayley Smith (October 26, 2020). "Wind-driven brush fire in Orange County spreading quickly". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference nbc4:2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Noah Biesiada (October 26, 2020). "Silverado Canyon Fire Spreads, Mandatory Evacuation in Irvine as Firefighters Battle High Winds". Voice of OC. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Andrew Freedman (October 26, 2020). "California wildfires break out amid powerful Santa Ana winds". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  7. ^ "Orange County's Silverado Fire similar to 2007 Santiago Fire". Wildfire Today. October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "SCE Section 315 Letter re: Silverado Fire, SCE Regulatory Document" (PDF). Edison International. November 24, 2020.
  9. ^ Madani, Doha (October 27, 2020). "Cause of Southern California fire that forced thousands to evacuate may be 'lashing wire'". NBC News. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  10. ^ Fry, Hannah (October 3, 2023). "Orange County sues Southern California Edison, T-Mobile over Coastal and Silverado fires". Los Angeles Times.