Crews on Saturday gained further containment of the 7,375-acre Bond Fire burning in the Silverado Canyon area of Orange County.
The brush fire began late Wednesday night as a house fire in the 29000 block of Silverado Canyon Drive that spread rapidly, consuming thousands of acres as erratic, gusty winds fanned the flames. Containment of the blaze increased to 45% by Saturday evening.
“We had favorable weather through the night, we’ve got quite a bit of work done,” Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Paul Holaday said in a Saturday morning update.
More than 1,500 firefighters converged on the blaze, working to extinguish the flames as Southern California saw dry, windy conditions.
While crews were still assessing the damage, officials said at least 17 structures were destroyed and another nine were damaged in the fire.
Residents in the Modjeska, Silverado and Williams Canyons areas, as well as the Blackstar and Baker Canyon areas, remain under mandatory evacuation orders, according to OCFA.
On Friday, all evacuation orders were lifted in the city of Lake Forest, though residents were told to prepare in case they have to flee.
Two U.S. Forest Service firefighters hurt while battling the blaze have been released from the hospital, and no further injuries have been reported, officials said.
Smoke from the Bond Fire, along with the nearby Airport Fire in Corona, clouded the air and triggered a smoke advisory that was extended through Saturday.
“Even in areas far from fires or areas not covered by a smoke advisory, if you can smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, avoid or limit outdoor activities,” the South Coast Air Quality Management District warned.