Holy Fire (2018)
2018 wildfire in Southern California
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The Holy Fire was a wildfire that burned in the Cleveland National Forest in Orange and Riverside Counties, California. The wildfire started on August 6, 2018, at around 1:15 PM PDT, in the vicinity of Trabuco Canyon.[8][9] A suspected arsonist was booked into the Orange County jail in Santa Ana, California[10] but found not guilty in 2023.[7] The blaze burned 23,136 acres (94 km2)[1][3][6] and destroyed 18 buildings,[1] before it was fully contained on September 13, 2018.[1][11] While the fire was actively spreading in early and mid-August, residents of the nearby cities of Corona, Temescal Valley, and Lake Elsinore were placed under evacuation orders.[12]
- August 6, 2018 –
- September 13, 2018
| Holy Fire | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2018 California wildfires | |
Smoke at sunset from the Holy Fire, as seen in Mission Viejo, on August 9, 2018 | |
| Date(s) |
|
| Location | Cleveland National Forest, Orange and Riverside Counties, California |
| Coordinates | 33°40′44″N 117°31′00″W |
| Statistics[1][2] | |
| Burned area | 23,136 acres (9,363 ha)[1][3] |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | None reported |
| Non-fatal injuries | 3 firefighters[4] |
| Structures destroyed | 18 |
| Damage | >$25.7 million (2018 USD)[5] |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Arson[6] |
| Perpetrator(s) | Unknown (1 suspect acquitted by jury)[6][7] |
| Motive | Unknown |
| Map | |
  | |
Progression
The Holy Fire was first reported at 1:15 PM PST on Monday, August 6, 2018, in Holy Jim Canyon (from which the fire derives its name),[13][8] a community of about 40 homes and cabins in the Trabuco Canyon area of the Santa Ana Mountains.[14] Evacuation orders were issued for parts of Trabuco Canyon, including the entire community of Holy Jim. Trabuco Creek Road was subsequently closed at Trabuco Canyon Road indefinitely as the Orange County Sheriff Department continues their investigation. It quickly moved uphill in a northeast direction, jumping the crest of the Santa Ana Mountains into neighboring Riverside County, threatening the areas of Corona, El Cerrito, and Glen Ivy Hot Springs. At the time, the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Effects
By August 8, thirteen cabins had been destroyed in Holy Jim (sic - impacted cabins are in Trabuco).[15] No major injuries were reported.[16] By August 10, one home along Ortega Highway had also been destroyed, the only confirmed home in Riverside County at that time. By August 13, the Holy Fire had destroyed a total of 18 structures in both Orange and Riverside Counties.[1]
Evacuation areas
On August 13, the neighborhoods under mandatory evacuation included:[17][18][19][20]
- Blue Jay
- El Cariso
- Glen Eden (Corona)
- Holy Jim Canyon
- Indian Canyon (Corona)
- Sycamore Creek (Corona)
- Horsethief Canyon (Corona)
- Mayhew Canyon (Corona)
- Rancho Capistrano
- Trabuco Canyon
As of August 13, neighborhoods under voluntary evacuation included:
- Trilogy (Temescal Valley)[20]
Criminal investigation
Growth and containment
Growth and Containment
| Date | Acres burned (ha) | Containment | Growth (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7 | 4,000 (1,600) | 0%
|
N/A | ||
| Aug 8 | 6,200 (2,500) | 0%
|
+55% | ||
| Aug 9 | 10,236 (4,142) | 5%
|
+65.1% | ||
| Aug 10 | 19,107 (7,732) | 10%
|
+86.6% | ||
| Aug 11 | 21,473 (8,690) | 29%
|
+12.4% | ||
| Aug 13 | 22,714 (9,192) | 52%
|
+5.7% | ||
| Aug 14 | 22,986 (9,302) | 59%
|
+1.2% | ||
| Aug 15 | 22,986 (9,302) | 78%
|
+0% | ||
| Aug 16 | 22,986 (9,302) | 82%
|
+0% | ||
| Aug 18 | 22,986 (9,302) | 91%
|
+0% | ||
| Aug 24 | 22,986 (9,302) | 95%
|
+0% | ||
| Aug 26 | 22,986 (9,363) | 100%
|
+0% | ||
| Aug 27 | 23,136 (9,363) | 94%
|
+0.6% | ||
| Sep 13 | 23,136 (9,363) | 100%
|
+0% |
See also
- 2018 California wildfires
- Santiago Fire – burned in a similar location in 2007; also caused by arson
- Silverado Fire – burned in a similar location in October 2020; ignited by Santa Ana Winds.
- Mendocino Complex Fire