Thanks to Watch Duty and CalFire, it was reported a little over four hours ago that the Carbon Fire, burning some 210 acres between Olinda Village and Olinda Ranch in Brea on the north side of Carbon Canyon Road (State Route 142), was 71% contained.
During the day, there were 20 engines from a quartet of three-strike teams, nine hand crews, two dozers, two water tenders, drones and many firefighters engaged in the battle to control the blaze and deal with hot spots, which, as many of us now, can flare up into new fires.
With all evacuation warnings lifted earlier, the Red Cross care and reception center located at the Chino Hills Community Center was also closed today and Carbon Canyon Road opened before 4 p.m. Those driving through later could see some of the equipment parked along the highway.
A great deal of thanks is owed to all of the agencies and personnel deployed to combat the conflagration, which was fanned by strong winds, though tempered by the light rain which fell last night. While the investigation continues, it should be noted that many such fires along roadways can be caused by sparks from vehicles—again, this is only a general statement and we'll see if any identification is made as to a cause.
Just 45 minutes or so before the fire burst forth, the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council concluded the first of a pair of Brush Drop Off events on the Chino Hills side of the Canyon. These events, held for many years, involve the collection of brush and other material culled from properties and two roll-off bins were filled, comprising many thousands of pounds of brush.
While these help to mitigate some of the risk of wildfires in the Canyon, the Carbon Fire is yet another reminder that there is no longer a "fire season" and the threat of a blaze is present year-round. Residents clearing material at their houses, CalTrans keeping dry brush away from the roadway of Carbon Canyon Road, and other property owners limiting the brush on their land are all part of the effort to reduce the possibility of a devastating conflagration like those of 2008, 1990, 1980, 1978 and in the years prior.
Thanks to Matt Eseltine for his remarkable photos of the Carbon Fire!
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