COUNTYWIDE : 100 Firefighters Battle Canyon Blaze

More than 100 firefighters battled a fast-moving brush fire near Santiago Canyon Road on Sunday and with the help of aerial water drops on the flames managed to encircle the blaze and confine it to 10 acres, according to authorities.

The fire broke out about 3:30 p.m. in thick brush in the vicinity of Hangman’s Creek Canyon, near Modjeska Canyon in the hills of eastern Orange County, County Fire Department spokeswoman Kathleen Cha said.

Because of the dry brush, steep terrain and homes and other structures in the area, fire officials moved swiftly, dispatching special strike teams and crews to fight the blaze by hand, as well three air tankers and a helicopter to help douse flames.

“This is wild land area,” Cha said, adding that the aerial assistance was the key to holding the flames in check until fire crews were able to build a perimeter around the fire.

Because of the threat of the spreading flames and the need to move heavy firefighting equipment to the scene, authorities closed down Santiago Canyon Road, diverting traffic on the heavily traveled highway temporarily.

County fire officials said the fire was contained by 6 p.m., with crews on hand to extinguish the last of the blaze. Cause of the fire remained under investigation late Sunday.