The Santiago fire dipped into the bottom of Silverado Canyon late Friday and is predicted to reach houses by Saturday afternoon, fire officials said. Late tonight Orange County and Los Angeles city firefighting teams set up lookouts on opposing ridges, watching the progression of fire fuel supply and weather around the clock. Far below in Silverado Canyon, firefighters leaned against engines and watched as flames leapt 75 feet in the air, crackling and roaring, around them into the night.
But they already have a plan for escape: Once the fire gets too close, the firefighters plan to throw water on the foam-coated houses and leave, said Ray Valenzuela, a battalion chief for the Orange County Fire Authority.
“It’s very beautiful to live in and to look at. It’s a very dangerous fire situation in terms of construction and in terms of fuel supply,” Valenzuela said.
