Units from the Long Beach Fire Department have been assembled and are on their way to Anaheim where a brush fire erupted this morning, forcing mandatory evacuations.

Known as the “Strike Team,” the units include five engines with four personnel in each vehicle, along with a Strike Team leader and assistant in a suburban-style vehicle, according to LBFD spokesman Capt. Matt Dobberpuhl.

Dobberpuhl told the Post around noon that the units, which were requested, assembled at LBFD’s training facility and will report to Featherly Regional Park for assignment at that incident.

The brush fire started at about 9:45AM alongside the eastbound Riverside (91) Freeway near the 241 toll road in Anaheim Hills. It burned about a mile of the area which was scorched by the recent Canyon Fire that blackened more than 2,600 acres and took more than a week to contain. The new blaze is being dubbed Canyon Fire 2 and started near the 91 Freeway and Gypsum Canyon Road, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz.

Initially reported at 25 acres, the fire quickly exploded in size—so quickly that officials could not estimate its size by midday.

At least four homes have burned and about a thousand more homes threatened in the Anaheim Hills area, according to fire officials.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for residents south of the 91 Freeway and west of the 241 toll road, then expanded west toward Nohl Ranch and Canyon Rim roads due to winds at about 25 miles per hour pushing the fire west. Evacuations were also ordered in the east end of Orange.

Those evacuated were directed to the Downtown Anaheim Community Center, 250 East Center Street, or the Downtown Anaheim Youth Center, 225 South Philadelphia. Horse evacuations were established on the west end of Yorba Regional Park.

All eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway were closed in the area, along with both sides of the 241 Freeway south of the 91 Freeway.

Long Beach city officials warned residents Monday afternoon to stay clear of the smoke and ash prevalent in many parts of the city.

“The City of Long Beach is experiencing a significant amount of smoke and ash as a result of the fire in Anaheim Hills. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, close doors and windows. Call 9-1-1 for medical assistance if necessary,” stated a message emailed by the city’s Emergency Operations Center. 

The fire’s smoke could be seen as far west as downtown Long Beach.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Editor’s note: this story was updated at 2:40PM with a message from the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.