Orange County, CA (May 12, 2022) – Orange County, CA: Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released the following statement today on the ongoing Coastal Fire in Orange County affecting more than 200 acres, burning 24 structures, and forcing evacuations.
“We are closely monitoring this devastating fire in our beautiful community. Our County Emergency Operations Center is activated and the County Board of Supervisors will declare a State of Emergency to marshal all the resources necessary to stop this fire. I am incredibly grateful to our partners at the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriffs, Cal Fire, and all the state and local agencies joining together to combat Orange County’s second wildfire this year.”
“Thankfully, no resident was injured, but one firefighter was injured overnight and is being treated. My top priority right now remains to provide resources to protect our local neighborhoods and ensure residents receive what they need to support themselves and their loved ones, including their pets.”
“We heard yesterday from our Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessey that the impacts of severe droughts, intensified by climate change, led to dry vegetation conditions which accelerated the spread of the fire quickly. The high risk of wildfire will continue unless we develop an aggressive climate action plan for Orange County and invest more in fire prone areas in Irvine and South County. We must replace dry hazardous vegetation, especially dead limbs and trees prone to spread fire, with drought tolerant plants and trees that retain moisture even in a drought, to reduce the chance of wildfire causing damage.”
“The cost of investing in preventive measures pales in comparison to the cost to respond to the fire, the loss of property and, worse, life.”
Public Information hotline, (714) 628-7085
All evacuation and road closure maps have been updated on the ocsheriff.gov/coastalfire website.
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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley joined the Board of Supervisors in 2021. She serves on the Airport Ad Hoc Committee & Fly Friendly working group, the Sober Living Home Ad Hoc Committee, and boards of the Orange County Transportation Authority, CalOptima, Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Law Library, Newport Bay & South Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committees & the Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection.
