The state forestry department has filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison and T-Mobile for allegedly causing the Silverado fire that swept through Silverado and Santiago canyons in Orange County two years ago, scorching about 12,470 acres and damaging 16 structures. In the lawsuit filed Oct. 20, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,…

SANTA ANA—One of two Orange County firefighters critically injured during the Silverado Fire near Irvine in October was released from a hospital Feb. 18. Dylan Van Iwaarden spent 114 days in the OC Burn Center at OC Global Medical Center in Santa Ana. Van Iwaarden, 26, and fellow firefighter Phi Le, 31, were critically injured…

SANTA ANA—One of two Orange County firefighters critically injured during the Silverado Fire near Irvine in October was scheduled to be released from a hospital Feb. 17. Dylan Van Iwaarden spent 114 days in the OC Burn Center at OC Global Medical Center in Santa Ana. Van Iwaarden, 26, and fellow firefighter Phi Le, 31,…

A San Diego-law firm is trying to drum up clients to sue Southern California Edison (SCE) over damages resulting from the Silverado Fire in Orange and San Bernardino counties, claiming the utility company has admitted its own responsibility for the fire starting. But the law firm may be overplaying its hand, says SCE spokesperson Chris…

IRVINE, Calif.—As the world nears the end of a grim year, indelible memories will remain for Orange County’s top firefighter, who led crews through devastating wildfires while navigating a pandemic. Two particular dates stand out for Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Chief Brian Fennessy: the day the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 a pandemic,…