OC-Riverside Wildfire Update: 500+ Acres Burned As Firefighters Quell Flames

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — If you smell or see smoke in Orange County, chances are it is coming from a large brush fire that broke out Wednesday morning near Holy Jim Trail in the Cleveland National Forest, just east of Orange County.

As of Thursday morning, the blaze, dubbed the Jim fire, was mapped at 553 acres with 15 percent containment, fire officials announced. Around 250 firefighters have been assigned to battle the wildfire. It was about 15% contained as of Thursday morning.

Crews worked through the night, monitoring and constructing containment lines. The burn area increased overnight by just 53 acres.

"Overnight little fire activity was observed by the crew of firefighters that patrolled and monitored the fire perimeter while constructing containment lines," fire officials reported Thursday morning. "Today ground crews will continue to build hand and dozer lines around the fire and utilize water-dropping helicopters to assist with any remaining hotspots. Air tankers will be on standby to respond if needed."

The Orange County Fire Authority took to Twitter Wednesday to reassure Orange County that the brush-driven wildfire is not currently a threat to Orange County residents.

"The fire is not a threat to Orange County," A spokesperson with the OCFA said. "This is a good reminder for everyone to do their part and help prevent brush fires."

The blaze ignited just after 11:15 a.m. and was burning through chaparral at a "moderate rate of spread," according to the national forest spokesperson Nathan Judy.

The brusher sparked near the Riverside County-Orange County line in Trabuco Canyon on the Orange County side, according to officials. Holy Jim Trail stretches from eastern Orange County to Corona in Riverside County.

The blaze was burning near the Holy Jim burn scar area, where over 23,000 acres were burned in 2018. The remote area is characterized by steep terrain and wind.

Orange County Fire Authority, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department and other agencies joined the forest service in the firefight that was being waged from the ground and air.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Jim Fire was visible from several points in Orange County. The above video shot by Mission Viejo resident Susan Seiler Thayer Belson shows a large smoke column from the wildfire visible from her balcony on Marguerite Parkway.

Eight engines, two hand crew, two air tankers and two helicopters worked through Wednesday to suppress the Jim Fire.

For more information on the Jim Fire, concerned residents can contact (951) 736-1811.

No homes in Orange nor Riverside counties were immediately threatened and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

READ THE LATEST HERE: Brush Fire Swells Near Riverside County, Orange County Line

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