Fire Officials Prepare for Santa Ana Winds

ORANGE, Nov. 1, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- Local fire authorities are planning for a return of Santa Ana winds from the last week's firestorm and have laid out their game plan.

Crews have raked up dry branches and other debris from the roadside. Prevention teams have removed materials that could become fuel if the predicted Santa Ana winds should pick up and carry embers.

Firefighters are patrolling the areas under evacuation and providing structural protection.

"They've got ladders set up to go to my roof. They've got a couple of furnitures and little piles of wood stacked in different [protected] areas. They have trimmed trees," said a Silverado Canyon resident.

Authorities say that firefighters are also deliberately burning areas hoping that will keep the fire from growing if the predicted Santa Ana winds blow through Friday.

"There is one area of concern in one part of this fire where it is steep. There are some hot spots, but it is just a matter of getting it in there, getting some of the stuff out. And to get it completely contained so if the wind approaches like we are told it will, our lines will hold," says Capt. Dennis Cross, LA County F.D.

The Santiago Fire is 95 percent contained. It has already scorched 28,000 acres and has destroyed more than a dozen homes.

Authorities say that several hundred homes remain threatened. The fire is keeping residents from going home to Silverado, Black Star and Baker Canyons.

A number of evacuees are still camping out at a shopping mall parking lot in Orange.

"It is hell, seriously it has been eleven days and we want to go home," says Kay Miller, Silverado Canyon evacuee.

"There is some small heat and some fires on the hills. As long as that is present and the crews are up there doing structure protection we cannot allow them back in their homes," adds Capt. Cross.

In the meantime authorities are still looking for the person responsible for the fire. Anyone with information is advised to call the Orange County Fire Authority Arson Tipline at (800) 540- 8282.

A reward of $250,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever started the fires.

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