It wasn’t all that long ago that I was in Southern California living in the realtively safe eye of the fires that ravaged San Diego, so I can imagine the angst that is gripping Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties this morning as fires rip through the region, again, causing extensive damage.  The Los Angeles Times has video and a full report.

Though it looks as though progress is being made as of this morning, the damage already done, of course, is tragic.  There are, as per usual, multiple fires raging.

The so-called Freeway Complex fire caused authorities to order more than 26,000 residents to evacuate and destroyed at least 179 homes, most of them in Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills. Firefighters spent day and night Sunday beating back the fire’s northern march along the 57 Freeway and its stubborn hold on Tonner Canyon north of Brea.

There is also Sayre fire, which, though forty percent contained, has taken its toll.

By Sunday night, the blaze had destroyed more than 510 homes. A total of 10,000 acres had burned, and at one point 10,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders. Five firefighters and one civilian suffered injuries, authorities said.

The fire caused closures of the 5, 71 and 91 freeways, which made evacuation difficult for many.  Let’s keep hoping for the best, and takepart to visit the Red Cross to see how you can help those affected by the fires.