Orange County supervisors said Tuesday they plan to launch an independent investigation of the Fire Authority’s response to the Canyon 2 Fire, suggesting the initial reaction by first responders might have allowed the blaze to grow big enough to consume 9,200 acres and destroy 78 structures.
“(The response) took something that very well may have been limited, to a total catastrophe,” said Supervisor Shawn Nelson. “We were let down.”
The specifics of the investigation aren’t yet clear. Supervisors voted Tuesday only to form a committee to determine the scope of its probe.
When that probe begins it will be at least the second review of the Canyon 2 Fire. The Orange County Fire Authority governing board on Oct. 26 voted to form an independent panel to examine its response to one of the worst fires in recent county history.