The vegetation fire, which has been dubbed the Canyon Fire 2, prompted the evacuations of more than 5,000 homes in Anaheim Hills, Orange, Orange Park Acres and Tustin. It also triggered hourslong freeway closures.
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Those evacuation orders remained in place Tuesday morning. During an early morning press conference, fire officials said about 3,500 structures continue to be threatened by the fast-moving blaze.
PHOTOS: Canyon 2 Fire destroys homes, prompts evacuations in Orange County
Fire officials said they had stopped the forward progression of the fire by noon and expected to lift some evacuation orders by the evening hours.
Canyon Fire 2 was first reported around 10 a.m. Monday along the eastbound 91 Freeway near the 241 Freeway interchange in Anaheim Hills.
The blaze was first reported to be around 25 acres, but by Monday evening the dry, windy conditions caused the fire to explode to 6,000 acres.
Flames remained active Tuesday along the 241 Freeway toll roads, which were shut down Monday afternoon to allow firefighters quick access to fight the fire.
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At least 24 structures, including homes, were destroyed in the blaze as it spread through Orange County, sending plumes of thick, heavy smoke into the air. Twenty-two other structures were damaged by the fire.
Hot spots inside a home in Orange Park Acres remained active Tuesday morning. Firefighters worked hard to save homes, but could not protect every structure as the fire got out of control.
Hot spots, including in homes, remain active in Orange County
More than 1,000 firefighters, six fixed-wing aircrafts and 14 helicopters were battling the blaze.
One firefighter was injured during the intense battle Monday afternoon and was airlifted to UCI Medical Center for possible smoke inhalation. He is expected to be OK.
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MORE: Full list of evacuation orders, road closures for Canyon Fire 2
Gov. Jerry Brown also declared a state of emergency for Orange County, as well as four counties in Northern California, where dozens of brush fires have killed 11 people, injured at least 100 and destroyed about 1,500 structures.
The Canyon Fire 2 comes not long after another brush fire burned about 2,600 acres at the Anaheim-Corona border in late September. This was the original Canyon Fire, which prompted dozens of evacuations in Corona.
The cause of the Canyon 2 Fire was unknown.
If you have any questions, Anaheim Fire and Rescue provided a fire information line at (714) 765-4333. For those in Orange, a non-emergency information line can be reached at (714) 744-7495.