Roaring winds knocked out power, littered roads with debris and kept firefighters hopping Wednesday, but Orange County escaped wind-stoked wildfires that ravaged other parts of Southern California.
Fire crews responded in force to the smallest brush and house fires, dousing blazes in Brea, Orange, Garden Grove and Camp Pendleton on Wednesday before the flames could explode up parched hillsides or spread to nearby homes.
"We're very aware of the potential for fire and we're just keeping that in the forefront of how we do business, especially with the high winds," said Capt. Paul Hunter of the Orange County Fire Authority.
The dry Santa Ana winds, which peaked at 100 mph in Bell Canyon and reached 51 mph in Orange, are expected to disappear by today, weather forecasters said.
Fire officials remain jittery, however, and said the county will stay on a "red flag" fire warning--indicating the most severe fire danger. Worried fire officials Wednesday also reiterated concerns about fireworks sales in three Orange County cities that are allowing them this year for millennial celebrations.
"It's critical," Hunter said. "Even if the winds die down, the humidity is very low and we haven't had any significant rain in 140 to 150 days."
Wind caused other problems as well. Southern California Edison officials Wednesday reported minor power outages in Fullerton and Yorba Linda that might have been caused by fallen tree branches.
The winds also sent debris flying across many Orange County freeways and roadways, causing a smattering of fender benders and other mishaps, said Officer JoAnn O'Hair of the California Highway Patrol in Santa Ana.
Officials at the John Wayne Airport and Fullerton Municipal Airport said air travel was not disrupted. Takeoffs at John Wayne were routed northward, taking planes over Tustin and Orange, to allow aircraft to fly into the wind.
The paramount concern throughout the day, however, was the threat of rural and urban firestorms.
A routine house fire in Garden Grove, for example, drew nearly 40 firefighters Wednesday morning, a blitz spurred by fears that the winds might carry sparks and embers to neighboring rooftops.
"Under conditions like these, things that normally wouldn't burn will burn," said Garden Grove Battalion Chief David Barlag.
