Brush Fires In Threes + Building Boom + Patches The Dolphin

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County residents, here are the stories we're looking at on Thursday morning.

Investigators are working to determine what caused three brush fires along the San Joaquin Hills(73) Toll Road Wednesday. Thanks to an aggressive firefighting effort, the wildfires were held to just eight acres.

Economic forecasters expect a building boom in Orange County, with construction leading the way for the county's economic comeback as the pandemic recedes.

And the story of the week will continue to be this record-breaking heatwave. A heat advisory will remain in effect for inland Orange County on Thursday, and the whole region is under a Flex Alert Thursday evening. Folks are being asked to limit the use of electricity to prevent strain on the power grid or rolling blackouts.

In other news...

Thursday's Orange County Weather and Surf Report:

Sunrise Tuesday will be at 5:41 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:03 p.m.

On Tuesday, while inland Orange County is sweltering, expect a perfect sunny beach day, with a high of 79 degrees and lows of 63 degrees.

Sunrise Thursday will be at 5:42 a.m. and sunset will be at 8:04 p.m.

High tide on Thursday is at 4:39 p.m. at 4.2 feet. Low tide is at 9:27 a.m. at .39 feet.

Patch Pick: Patches the famed dolphin that has a special place in our hearts here at Patch, was spotted again off the coast of San Clemente and Dana Point (More on the Orange County Register).

Here are 5 of Orange County's top news stories of the day:

1. City News Service had a gut-wrenching report on the court filings in the Aiden Leos murder case. Prosecutors allege the suspects got into a second armed road rage conflict in the days after shooting the kindergartner. They also outline the moments surrounding the deadly road rage shooting, including the alleged killer's admission that he "was angry after being `flipped off'' by the boys' mother, "so he grabbed his loaded Glock 17 9mm and racked a round." (More on Patch).
2. Chapman University economics experts anticipate a huge jump in construction in Orange County and inflation and rising interest rates nationally (More on Patch).
3. A second day of computer problems at Southwest Airlines caused dozens of flight delays out of John Wayne Airport (More on Patch).
4. Three brush fires broke out Thursday along the San Joaquin Hills(73) Toll Road, shutting down the freeway and prompting an aggressive firefighting response (More on Patch).
5. A man driving a vintage Jaguar was killed on the San Joaquin Hills(73) Toll Road after being struck by a speeding BMW driven by a teenager, according to the CHP.

Featured Events To Get You Through To The Weekend:

Reducing California’s Fire Risk - Symposium: Thursday, June 17 at 2 p.m.Fire season used to be seasonal; it is now year-round, increasingly deadly and incredibly costly. The US Green Building Council-L.A. (USGBC-LA) is hosting this event - FREE -to bring together the sustainability, green building, and fire prevention communities to jointly address wildfire resilience across California.

Click here for more.

FEATURED EVENT: Co-Parenting During & After Divorce – Irvine, CA ~ No-Cost Friday, June 18 at 12 p.m. About this event: Are you separated, divorced, considering divorce, or in the process of divorce? Please join us for a special evening intended to help you and your family set new expectations and boundaries.

Click here for more.

FEATURED EVENT: A Great Evening of Outdoor Theater in Newport Beach! Friday, June 18 at 7 p.m. Join us outdoors at 7 PM in Newport Beach, FRIDAY, JUNE 18th and SATURDAY JUNE 19th at the beautiful Pelican Courtyard (124 Tustin Avenue - just one block from PCH) when Emmy Nominated producer/director Pamela Peak and The On Impulse Actors fill the summer evening with wonderful seriocomedy (lighter drama with a touch of comedy).

Click here for more.

9/11 Never Forget Mobile Museum and Train Rides Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m.

Welcomed around the nation, from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, the memorial provides interactive education; including artifacts such as steel beams from the towers, documentary videos, and recordings of first responder radio transmissions. Interactive guided tours are carried out by FDNY firefighters who provide firsthand accounts of the day and its aftermath.

Click here for more.

Carnivorous Plant Show & Sale 2021: The Sherman, Corona Del Mar Saturday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m.

Carnivorous Plant Show & Sale Saturday & Sunday, June 19 & 20, 2021 - 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sherman Library & Gardens,2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, CA

Click here for more.

Summerfest, Carnival, Music & Fireworks 2021: Fountain Valley Saturday, June 19 at 2 p.m.

Fountain Valley Summerfest 2021
Thursday, June 17 - Sunday, June 20, 2021
Click here for more.

See more on the Orange County calendar!

Now you're in the loop and ready for this week. But don't miss out on stories posting throughout the day!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every day of the week.

~Ashley

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Orange County Patch?

Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Orange County Patch?

Email all inquiries to me at ashley.ludwig@patch.com.