SILVERADO CANYON – Fire, law enforcement and Orange County officials on Tuesday assured Silverado Canyon residents that the wildfire in the area is nearly contained and that the number of firefighters in the area will be reduced as crews put the final touches on extinguishing the blaze. With the fire that started Friday now at 93 percent containment, some of the several hundred canyon residents who filled the Calvary Chapel of the Canyons for a town hall meeting wondered what they could do to stop the possible flow of mud and debris from the steep canyon slopes – left bare by the flames – in the event of a rain storm. “There are a lot of dead trees already in the (Silverado Canyon) creek, and it’s dangerous,” said Connie Nelson, a Silverado resident. “If it builds a dam, and the dam breaks, it will be a big problem for us.” Pete Curran, a Federal Emergency Management Agency meteorologist, calmed residents fears about possible flash floods, saying thunderstorm threats are likely only through today. Once the fire is fully contained, authorities will spend several weeks analyzing their response, which will help them prepare for future fires, and determining exactly how much rain water the slopes can take before residents must evacuate. Residents praised fire officials for their quick response, comparing the recent fire to the one that swept through the area in 2007, which torched 15 houses. “The reason we are here is because of the success we have achieved,” U.S. Forest Service Ranger Darrell Vance said. Preparation was a key message from many county agencies, with residents urged to have plans for an emergency. That includes having emergency kits at home, knowing how to get ahold of friends and loved ones, being aware of which of their neighbors need special help, and having crates, trailers or pens available for each animal on their property. Contact the writer: [email protected]
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