Burn Areas Under Alerts, Voluntary Evacuations In Advance Of Storm
GLENDORA (CBSLA.com) — Southern California's recent burn areas are under alerts and voluntary evacuation orders in advance of the first onslaught of El Niño storms forecast for the region.
A "yellow" alert is in effect Tuesday for resident near the Colby burn area above Glendora, directing residents to remove vehicles, trash bins and other obstructions from streets – both to ensure access for emergency vehicles and to prevent the items from being damaged or washed away in a mudslide.
As of early Tuesday morning, no evacuation orders were issued for the affected area – which includes all properties north of Sierra Madre between the western city boundaries of Azusa and Glendora to the eastern boundary of properties on the west side of the Little Dalton Wash.
The Colby Fire burn area could receive up to two inches of rain Tuesday, according to Glendora officials, with possibly intense downpours of a half-inch per hour. More rain is anticipated Wednesday through Friday.
City officials say residents should remember to not cross flowing water or mud, and protect themselves from debris flows on their property by going to the highest point in the house or the middle of a single-story residence.
The Colby Fire was sparked on Jan. 15, 2014, scorching 1,992 acres, destroying five homes and damaging 17 others. More than 3,500 people were evacuated during the height of the blaze.
In Orange County, officials have issued voluntary evacuation orders for the Silverado Canyon area.
Officials at the Orange County Emergency Operations Center said the voluntary evacuation order will go into effect at 10 a.m. for residences east of 30311 Silverado Canyon Road. The orders coincide with a flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service that will be in effect from Tuesday morning through at least Wednesday night.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
