Chino Hills covers almost 45 square miles in the southwest corner of San Bernardino County, much of it undeveloped rolling hills including Chino Hills State Park. The city was mostly dairies and horse property until the mid-1970s, then filled in quickly with master-planned villages such as Butterfield Ranch, Rolling Ridge and Los Serranos in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral service; we do not send technicians or do restoration. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to connect you with an independent contractor who serves the area, though availability is up to local providers. See how it works and the disclosure.
Open hillsides, fault lines and winter rain
The Freeway Complex Fire started on November 15, 2008, and grew to about 30,305 acres spreading through Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Brea, Diamond Bar and this city and burning roughly nine-tenths of the state park. Wikipedia also lists the Canyon Fire among significant local fires. San Bernardino County was part of FEMA wildfire declarations in 2003 (DR-1498), 2007 (DR-1731) and 2020 (DR-4569), along with winter storm declarations in 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2023.
Several faults cross or border the city, including the Chino Fault along its eastern edge and the Yorba Linda Fault in the southeast. A magnitude 5.4 earthquake in 2008 was felt from San Diego to Las Vegas. Rainfall comes mainly from January through March, about 4 inches a month at the peak, with summers almost entirely dry.
Leaks in 1980s and 1990s tract homes
Much of the housing here is now 30 to 45 years old, the age when original water heaters, supply hoses, plumbing lines and roof underlayment start to give out. Slab leaks, washing machine and dishwasher failures and attic AC drain overflows during hot summers are frequent. Hillside lots can also channel heavy rain toward foundations and lower walls when grading or drainage is blocked.
Seeking water damage restoration in Chino Hills? A contractor will usually locate the source, test hidden areas with meters, remove damaged materials and dry the structure. An attic leak that shows up overhead is covered under ceiling water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included San Bernardino County
FEMA records show San Bernardino County was included in 8 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (4 severe storm, 3 fire, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Chino Hills was affected. The most recent:
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4699)
- 2020 – Wildfires (DR-4569)
- 2011 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (DR-1952)
- 2010 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (DR-1884)
- 2007 – Wildfires, Flooding, Mud Flows, and Debris Flows (DR-1731)
- 2005 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud and Debris Flows (DR-1585)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Chino Hills?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Chino Hills property.
Ash, smoke and soot after hillside fires
Homes along the edge of open space face ember and smoke exposure whenever the surrounding hills burn. Even when structures are spared, fine ash can enter through attic vents and HVAC returns and leave a lingering odor. A house fire brings soot plus water from suppression efforts.
Smoke odor removal and fire damage restoration generally include ash cleanup, surface cleaning tailored to the residue, HVAC filter changes or duct cleaning, deodorizing and replacement of materials that cannot be saved.
Runoff, mud and storm cleanup on slopes
Carbon Canyon Road, the main direct route to Orange County, is described as winding and prone to landslides, a hint at how the local terrain behaves in heavy rain. Burned or bare slopes above homes can send mud and debris downhill during strong storms, and the county's declarations repeatedly pair winter storms with debris and mud flows.
Flood cleanup on hillside properties often means mud removal, extraction, cutting out wet drywall, disinfection and drying. Fallen trees and roof damage may also need storm damage cleanup.
Keeping mold out after water gets in
Dry summers do not prevent mold when water is trapped inside a wall, under flooring or in an attic. Mud-carrying runoff also brings organic material that feeds growth if not cleaned out quickly.
EPA guidance indicates that a homeowner can generally clean mold under about 10 square feet. Larger growth, mold following muddy floodwater, or contamination in ductwork is usually a job for a contractor working under containment; see mold remediation.
Safety steps for hillside households
- Call 911 for fire, gas leaks, sparking wires or injuries, and evacuate when told to; in 2008, mandatory orders covered the city and Carbon Canyon.
- After an earthquake, check for gas odors and cracked pipes before reentering, and stay out of damaged areas.
- Shut off water at the main for plumbing leaks; avoid electrical equipment in wet spaces.
- Take pictures of every damaged room and item first, and hold on to receipts for tarps, fans or lodging.
- Talk to your insurer or agent; wildfire, flood and earthquake coverage vary by policy.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Chino Hills that callers often mention include:
- Los Serranos
- Vellano
- Butterfield Ranch
- Rolling Ridge
- Fairfield Ranch
- Payne Ranch
- Gordon Ranch
- LaBand Village
- Carbon Canyon
- Sleepy Hollow
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Chino Hills):
Chino Hills restoration FAQs
Did the 2008 Freeway Complex Fire reach Chino Hills?
Yes. Wikipedia reports that it burned through parts of the city and about 90 percent of the state park, with mandatory evacuations in the city and Carbon Canyon. In total it burned roughly 30,305 acres.
What earthquake risks affect the area?
The Chino Fault runs along the city's eastern edge and the Whittier Fault lies to the west. A magnitude 5.4 earthquake in 2008 was attributed to stress where they intersect. Strapping water heaters and knowing your gas and water shutoffs is good preparation.
When does heavy rain usually fall?
Mostly January through March, at around 4 inches a month during the peak. Clearing drains and checking slopes above your home before winter can reduce runoff problems.
Can you send a restoration crew?
We do not have crews. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to connect you with an independent contractor who works nearby; availability is not guaranteed.
Restoration guides
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Smoke Odor Removal
- Water Damage Restoration
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Flood Cleanup
- Mold Remediation