Firefighters battle 2,000-acre Canyon Fire near Anaheim-Corona border

CORONA, Calif. -- Hundreds of firefighters on Tuesday continued to battle a 2,000-acre brush fire that forced the evacuation of more than 300 homes as it raged near the border of Anaheim and Corona.

The so-called Canyon Fire was 5 percent contained as the sun rose over a burn area that straddled Orange and Riverside counties. The quick-moving blaze originated about 1 p.m. Monday near the eastbound 91 Freeway at Coal Canyon Road.

There were no reports of injuries in the fire, which damaged one home and destroyed the trailer of a semi-truck, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

About 1,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders. Some were unsure if their home would still be standing when they return.

"All of a sudden there was fire right in front of my face, as I was evacuating," said James Kim. "I don't know what happened to my house or anything."

More than 300 firefighters were at the scene, attacking the wind-driven flames with hoses on the ground and water-drops from fixed-wing aircraft overhead. A unified command was comprised of the Anaheim, Corona,and Los Angeles County fire departments, the OCFA, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire.

Evacuation orders were in place for multiple streets in Corona: Dominguez Ranch, San Alamada Road, San Ponte Road, San Viscaya Circle, San Sebastian Circle, San Ramon, San Alvarado, Mt. Elena Circle, Mt. Tesoro, Mt. Palmas and Mt. Cantara.

Resident Jeff Peterson said he saw "little mini tornadoes of embers going through the neighborhood -- and I'm not exactly dressed like a firefighter out here, so it was time to go."

Corona High School, at 1150 W. 10th St, was serving as a shelter for displaced residents.

Dominguez Ranch Road in Corona was closed to incoming traffic at Green River Road. By 7 p.m. Monday, evacuation orders were expanded to areas south of Green River Road from the 91 Freeway to Trudy Lane at Orchard Glen.

According to the Corona Fire Department, John Adams Elementary School, Cesar Chavez Academy, Coronita Elementary School and Prado View Elementary School will be closed Tuesday.

The cause of the fire was unknown.