Firestorm: Storm Watch in Orange County

Update Nov 25 The recent burn areas are now watching the hills for potential mudslide risk. According to the Weather Channel rain in the area could come down at the rate of an half an inch an hour. Check back for any updates should they become available.

Update Brea Olinda School officials are reporting that Brea Olinda High School well reopen on Monday

For more fire stories please check out the special section marked Fire Watch 2008, for more details.

Update 9:42 pm Nov 18 President Bush declared parts of California a Federal disaster area

Pick up the next issue of the Hornet for details. Update 6:48 pm Nov 18

According to the City of Yorba Linda's Web site the American Red Cross will be he American Red Cross canteens will be driving through the neighborhoods affected by the fires to provide cold water and snacks to residents. The City has also asked the Red Cross to assist in assessing what are the needs by those affected by the fire damage. Home Depot will also be distributing gloves and shovels to help residents with the cleanup.

The City of Anaheim's Web site is reporting that The City of Anaheim, in coordination with other cities, will open the East Anaheim Gymnasium as a Local Assistance Center to residents from the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Yorba Linda, Corona and Diamond Bar. Representatives from many organizations and agencies will be available to talk with and assist in the recovery and rebuilding process.

The Center is located at: 8165 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road Anaheim, CA 92808

Update 5:53 pm Tuesday Nov 18

All Brea Olinda schools, preschools and daycare programs will be open for normal operation on Wednesday, November 19, except for Brea Olinda High School and Brea Canyon High School. Olinda Elementary Students will attend classes at Country Hills Elementary. Bus service will continue as normal.

Update 8:15 am Tuesday Nov 18.

The Orange County Fire Authority is now reporting the Freeway Complex fire to be at 60 percent containment.

Check back later for more details. Update 10:47 pm Monday Nov 17.

Brea schools and daycare programs well remain closed to students on Tuesday. Check the Brea Olinda Unified School District for further information.

Update 7:30 am Monday Nov 17.

According to city of Brea sources the evacuation orders for Olinda Village and the Hollydale Mobile Home Park remain in place until further notice.

Update 3:30 pm Sunday Nov 16 The City of Brea's Web site is now reporting that St. Jude Hospital reopened at 2:35 p.m.

Evacuation orders have been lifted in the following areas: Sommerset Condos, Olinda Ranch and the area from Rose Dr. and Vesuvius to the east end of Yorba Linda Blvd. Ordered evacuations remain in place for Olinda Village and Hollydale Mobile Home Park.

Update at 2:05 pm Sunday Nov 16

Superintendent Dennis Smith issued a phone broadcast announcing that all schools in the Placentia-Linda Unified School District will have a Non-Student day on Monday.

Update at 11:30 am Sunday Nov 16

Brea-Olinda School District officials are reporting that classes at all Brea-Olinda Schools have been canceled for Monday. Please Check back later for more details.

According to the City of Brea's Web site there are still active fires burring in Brea around Valencia and Carbon Canyon Rd, Tonner Canyon east of the 57 Freeway and three so called hot spots in the Olinda Village area of Brea.

The city is also reporting that St. Jude Hospital is closed, however Placentia Linda Hospital remains open at this time.

All previous evacuations are still in place.

The City of Diamond Bar is reporting that mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the areas located within the Country Estates. Residents located in the southern portion of Diamond Bar boarded by Brea Canyon Road to the west, Ambushers Street to the north, Falcon Ridge to the east and the city limits to the south.

Residents who have been affected by these fires who have animals can take them to the following locations:

The Orange County Animal Shelter located at 561 City Drive in the City of Orange. They can be reached at (714) 935-6848.

Huntington Beach Equestrian Center is accepting horses only: 18381 Golden West (714) 848-6565

Orange High School is accepting small livestock: 525 N. Shaeffer, City of Orange - enter from Haywood - (714) 397-2912.

Check back later for for details.

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---------------------------------------- As of 9:30 Sunday Morning the Freeway Complex has burned more than 10,000 acres around the Brea, Yorba Linda, Corona and Carbon Canyon areas.

The entire Carbon Canyon area has been evacuate.

According to the City of Brea's Web site, two homes in Carbon Canyon and one mobile home have been damaged or destroyed.

The fire has already destroyed part of Brea Canyon High School and parts of Brea Olinda's athletic fields.

The Southern California Air Quality District has issued an advisory that "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke."

According to KCAL 9 areas of Diamond Bar are now undergoing evacuations due to the freeway complex fires.

Check back later for more details as they become available.