ORANGE COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREAEMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE # 1  Date:  November 25, 2008

  Time:  8:15 a.m.

ORANGE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AND PUBLIC INFORMATION HOTLINES ACTIVATED

VOLUNTARY EVACUATION IN YORBA LINDA

 The County of Orange activated and staffed the Emergency Operations Center with County agency representatives at 0700 hours on Nov. 25, 2008.  The Public Information Hotline has been staffed and is ready to accept calls of inquiry in regard to voluntary evacuations in burn areas of the City of Yorba Linda. The Public Information Hotline phone number is (714) 628-7085.   

A voluntary evacuation went into effect at 8 a.m. today for three specific areas of Yorba Linda that burned in the Freeway Complex Fire earlier this month. Rainfall expected in the next few days creates the potential for debris and mud flows in these areas. Residents of these areas were notified on Monday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. via the AlertOC System.  

The three areas subject to the voluntary evacuations include the Brush Canyon Area, the Box Canyon Area, and the North Fairmont/San Antonio area. Residents are encouraged to remove themselves from these areas until the current rain event has passed. Public safety officials will be watching all burn areas closely throughout the rain event. Residents will be alerted if mandatory evacuations become necessary. During the voluntary evacuation, the Thomas Lasorda, Jr. Field House at 4701 Casa Loma Ave. will be available as a shelter location.  

Residents who wish to receive these alerts on their cell phones, text numbers and e-mail addresses can register at www.alertoc.com. More evacuation information is available on the City of Yorba Linda’s Web site at www.ci.yorba-linda.ca.us. 

The wildfires in Yorba Linda have left yet another OCSD family member homeless. 

Retired Sergeant, Chuck Bensinger, lost his Yorba Linda home in the fires this weekend.  He is currently assigned as an Extra Help Deputy in Community Programs. 

Our thoughts, prayers and support go out to Chuck and his family.

As law enforcement personnel and firefighters continue to work around the clock battling the wildfires, at least two Deputy Sheriffs and their families have fallen victim to the fires that are ravaging parts of North Orange County and beyond.

Deputy Russell Sison, of Theo Lacy, and his wife were picking up their 9-year-old son from school when his apartment complex caught on fire.  The building was burned to the ground. 

Deputy James Russell, of Theo Lacy, also lived in Yorba Linda.  His home was a total loss as well. 

AOCDS is reaching out to help our colleagues and their families.