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Rain prompts mandatory evacuations in Southern California wildfire burn areas

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Corona officials Wednesday issued a mandatory evacuation order for areas impacted by the recent Canyon Fire.

A flash flood watch has also been issued by the National Weather Service for the Inland Empire and Orange County — including San Bernardino Mountains communities and the Santa Ana mountains.

“The mandatory evacuation is for homes on or near recently burned slopes,” a Corona city news release said. “Do not delay evacuating until the rain becomes severe. Debris flows can occur without any notice, and evacuation routes can quickly become impassable due to mud and debris or flooding.”

Fears that heavy rains will trigger mud and debris flows that could clog roads and cause other damage in several  neighborhoods prompted public safety officials to order the evacuations.

Properties along portions of Oakridge Drive, Elderberry Circle, Wilderness Drive, Diamond View Street, Star Canyon Circle, Canyon Crest Circle, Wilderness Circle, Hidden HIlls Way, Sageleaf Circle, Bulrush Circle, San Sebastian Circle, San Ponte Road, San Viscaya Circle, San Almada Road, San Ramon Drive and San Alvarado Circle are at risk, according to the alert. A full list of addresses can be viewed by clicking here.

The order was effective at 6 p.m. The Red Cross is expected to establish an evacuation center in the area. Information is available at 951-817-5800.

Pet boarding is being offered at the Corona Animal Shelter, 1330 Magnolia Ave.

The neighborhoods sit at the foot of the Cleveland National Forest, where the 2,600-acre Canyon Fire burned vegetation and denuded hillsides in September. The barren, fire-ravaged spaces now serve as water pooling zones with spillways threatening the residential areas.

Intense rainstorms are predicted tonight and into Thursday evening, according to the Weather Service.

Rainfall rates could reach up to an inch per hour at different intervals, according to the NWS. Total rainfall is predicted to range between four and seven inches, meteorologists said.

The Corona, Hemet, Riverside, Murrieta and Riverside County fire departments are offering sandbags to residents seeking to shore up their properties.

Forecasters said a low-pressure system bearing down on the region, fueled by subtropical moisture, will produce the winter-like rain event, which will make a slow exit Friday morning.

Temperatures will remain moderate, keeping snow levels near mountain tops.

Other regions were also preparing for the storm – in Anaheim, voluntary evacuations were announced for three neighborhoods adjacent to major Canyon Fire 2 burn areas, including properties along Serrano Avenue, Overlook Terrace and Country Glen Way. Other residents, such as those living where spot flooding is common, were being advised to shore up their properties with sandbags if needed.


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