Officials meet with about 500 people; Santiago fire continues moving toward Riverside County

By: JOHN HALL - Staff Writer | Saturday, October 27, 2007 12:40 PM PDT ∞

CORONA -- For days, residents from south Corona to north Lake Elsinore have heard that the arson-set Santiago fire raging just over the mountain range in Orange County was marching closer and closer to their homes.

As of nightfall Friday, the blaze that had burned 26,700 acres was still about a mile from the county line and five or six miles from any populated areas in Riverside County, fire officials said.

To understand the concern of Temescal Valley residents potentially threatened took only a look at Heather Kaplanek.

Before a meeting held by county and fire officials Friday afternoon to provide updated information to those residents, Kaplanek appeared tense with a heavy look of fear and worry in her eyes.

"It's just so odd to see it snowing -- ash," the Butterfield Estates resident said. "To look up at the sun yesterday and see it just bright red, that was freaky."

To understand how important the meeting at Temescal Valley Elementary School was for those same residents took only another look at Kaplanek.

Later, she was smiling while playing with her young daughter in the school's multipurpose room, looking like a huge weight was off her shoulders.

"I feel much better now," she said, calling the meeting very informative.

About 500 people came to the meeting, which was organized by two Riverside County supervisors, hoping to get the most up-to-date information as rumors of immediate fire threats and evacuations had been running rampant in the area.

So many people turned out that dozens and dozens had to stand outside and listen on speakers as the multipurpose room was standing-room only.

"Trying to find information about what was going on was hard," said Mike Kaplanek, Heather's husband. "A lot of people (in the community) were just talking to each other hoping to find out."

Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins said after the meeting that one of the main reasons for such a gathering is to get the community involved early.

"This way, before anything might occur, they are informed," Hawkins said as a large group of people stayed around to check out a map outlining the path of the Santiago fire.

Informed residents can in turn provide accurate information to their neighbors, he said.

What residents learned at the meeting was that there was no imminent threat to Temescal Valley or Corona.

"It looks more favorable then it did yesterday," 2nd District County Supervisor John Tavagilone told them.

"No evacuations have been ordered. We do have plans in place should that become necessary," Corona Fire Chief Michael Warren said.

He told the crowd that firefighters in Orange County were "making tremendous progress" in their battle Friday.

Hawkins informed them that resources previously needed in other fire areas were able to be used in the Santiago fire fight. A huge help, he said, were six air tankers and 13 water- and foam-dropping helicopters used Friday.

The weather was also cooperating Friday, with winds not expected to pick up and even the possibility of some drizzle over the weekend, Hawkins said.

Crews are also bulldozing a wide firebreak as another means of defense to try to keep the blaze from getting into Riverside County and then continuing on to populated areas, officials said.

Law enforcement officials are preparing plans should evacuations become needed, said Riverside County sheriff's Capt. Louis Fetherolf, commander of the Lake Elsinore station that serves Temescal Valley.

"Separate neighborhoods have been divided into small little zones," he said. "Rest assured, there is a lot going on behind the scenes you don't see."

Throughout the hour-long meeting, officials told the crowd that they hope to relieve concerns but cautioned they can't give guarantees that the fire wouldn't continue moving and lead to evacuations.

"I hope it's calmed you down; I hope it's made you more alert," 1st District Supervisor Bob Buster said of the information provided.

The Santiago fire, as of 7:30 p.m. Friday, had destroyed 14 homes, damaging eight other residences, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

Nearly 2,000 firefighters are assigned to battle the blaze, which started just before 6 p.m. Sunday in an area east of the 241 Toll Road in the Irvine area.

On Friday, fire officials in Orange County said they are looking for the driver of a white Ford F-150 truck seen in the area where the fire started. The truck is described as being anywhere from a 1989 to 2004 model standard cab with chrome tubular running boards.

A reward of $250,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever started the fire. The arson tip line is (800) 540-8282.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.