![Firefighters use hand tools to cut a line in brush as a helicopter dumps water nearby](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f857331/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4785x3189+8+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F85%2Fda%2F0e8e4ff243fd98fc12bfc32dbeb1%2Fla-photos-1staff-663503-la-me-bond-fire001-ls.jpg)
Firefighters cut a fire break as a helicopter drops water on the Bond fire in Orange County on Thursday.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
- Share via
A wind-whipped wildfire was threatening homes in Orange County’s mountain communities, prompting evacuations as fire spread rapidly.
A mandatory evacuation order was in effect for residents of Silverado Canyon, Modjeska Canyon and Williams Canyon as the Bond fire exploded to 7,200 acres by Thursday afternoon. Officials said multiple structures may have been damaged.
The Bond fire began when a structure fire spread into nearby vegetation, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
![Firefighters carrying hand tools as smoke rises in a wooded area](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/855b81a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4596x3264+0+0/resize/2000x1420!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe8%2F5e%2F48ce17d1417dafa392b0281ff571%2Fla-photos-1staff-663807-me-1203-bond-fire1-wjs.jpg)
Firefighters extinguish hot spots from the Bond fire along Santiago Canyon Road in the Silverado area Thursday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
![Firefighters on top of a fire engine, one of them using a hose to spray water on a hillside, with clouds of smoke behind them](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/85f4fdf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5472x3648+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbb%2Fc3%2F147bfb8448f0b54ab0d0b6fed427%2Fla-photos-1staff-663468-la-me-bond-fire-20-ajs.jpg)
Firefighters put out a flare-up along a hillside in Silverado Canyon on Thursday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Flames burn on a charred, downed tree as firefighters in the background spray water and use hand tools](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/79863ee/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3600x2400+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2Fe6%2Febfd1d714ff1ba09f3ecb5205738%2Fla-photos-1staff-663468-la-me-bond-fire-5-ajs.jpg)
Costa Mesa firefighters battle the wind-driven Bond fire burning near a hillside residence on Santiago Canyon Road on Thursday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
![Water falls from a helicopter over flames and smoke](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1025453/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2184x1840+0+0/resize/2000x1685!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F48%2F73%2F3e5a2b534d9fbfe2b5eb1fc5f812%2F663468-la-me-bond-fire-1-ajs.jpg)
A helicopter makes a water drop on the Bond fire.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters turn to shield themselves from the embers as they battle the Bond fire.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
![A helicopter drops water amid smoke](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e1236b1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4800x3046+0+0/resize/2000x1269!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F84%2Fff%2Ff9056c5e4328a5724a6f8deafb65%2Fla-photos-1staff-663503-la-me-bond-fire008-ls.jpg)
A helicopter drops water on the Bond fire, which burned more than 7,200 acres in unincorporated Orange County.
(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A fire vehicle makes its way through flames to fight the Bond fire.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Firefighters battle the Bond fire along Silverado Canyon Road.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
A tree is silhouetted by an emergency vehicle’s light at the Bond fire.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.