Yorba Linda hillsides burned in 2008 Freeway Complex Fire holding up in storms

Jan. 19, 2010 | By Susan Valot | KPCC

Yorba Linda is not planning widespread evacuations ahead of the biggest of the storms to hit Southern California this week. The city’s hillsides burned a little more than a year ago in the Freeway Complex Fire.

Mark Aalders, assistant to Yorba Linda's city manager, says during last winter’s rains many people did not heed evacuation orders, so authorities have switched to a different plan.

"In this case, it would be more of an individual-type evacuation," says Aalders. "So for instance, if there was a hillside that did seemingly look like it was going to come down, we would evacuate that group of homes. It would not be in the blanket fashion that we did after the fires."

People below the burn area have stacked sandbags. Aalders says work crews are patrolling to make sure storm drains don’t get clogged.

Aalders says the biggest danger comes when the ground is saturated.

"The first storm will ultimately soak up much of the water, therefore making the soil heavily laden," says Aalders. "So we’re probably more concerned about Wednesday night’s to Thursday’s storm, which has been predicted to be a little bit more severe. We’ve been, of course, talking to the county at the operational level, as well. They’re in full contact. We do also have the American Red Cross. They may be looking at opening a shelter in our area, if necessary."

Aalders says they’re lucky because some vegetation has grown on the hillsides since the fire. He says that should help hold the topsoil in place.

Still, crews are out keeping an eye on those hillsides.

Aalders says it’s tricky at night because it’s harder to see potential problems. He says it’s good to stay aware of your surroundings if you live in those high-danger areas.

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