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Active smoke activity on the Airport Fire, September 10, 2024.
Smoke column from the Airport Fire, September 11, 2024.
Airport Fire Public Information Map - September 14, 2024
The Airport Fire Inciweb will be updated twice a day. Please see the last date stamp for the current acreage below under Incident Overview/Incident Description. A date stamp is also included in this section's Current Situation.
Camera Views - Bell Canyon North and Santiago Peak.
Initial Situation: The Airport Fire was reported on September 9, 2024 off Trabuco Creek Road near the RC flying field.
Current Situation: September 15, 2024 9:00 a.m. The airport fire is 23,519 acres with 19% containment.
The Airport fire remained within its existing footprint overnight. Firefighters have been able to access previously inaccessible areas around Trabuco Canyon Road and construct direct lines. In the canyon above Lake Elsinore, both direct and indirect lines have been built, and direct lines have also been constructed west towards El Cariso. Structure protection measures have been implemented at the Lazy W Ranch by adding sprinkler protection. Containment lines are being reinforced in various areas, including Bell Canyon, along Trabuco Canyon Road, and in the canyon above Lake Elsinore.
Damage Inspection Teams are currently inspecting structures along the Ortega corridor. This process is expected to take several days to complete. Yesterday, Riverside County announced changes to evacuation zones, moving some areas from orders to warnings.
While the weather has been favorable with cooler temperatures, drizzle, and light showers, Modjeska Peak remains dry, and there is a risk of surface fires above 4,000 feet. The smoldering vegetation at higher elevations still poses a threat due to its potential to roll downhill and ignite unburned vegetation.
The weather forecast for the next few days is favorable for firefighting efforts. Tonight, thick fog and high humidity are expected, which can help slow the spread of the fire. On Sunday and Monday, cooler temperatures and light rain are predicted, providing additional relief. The overall conditions should be conducive to containment efforts. The combination of high humidity, cool temperatures, and light rain is expected to significantly aid in controlling the fire.
Evacuations and Warnings: Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued by the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. An evacuation order is MANDATORY and there is an immediate threat to life and property. You must leave the area for your own safety. Evacuation warnings mean conditions may worsen and you may be required to evacuate as conditions change. Gather essentials and be ready. If you require additional time to evacuate (such as those with pets and livestock), you may consider leaving now.
An interactive map for the both counties may be found at: https://bit.ly/3TtJBW9 .
Orange County evacuations is through Orange County Sheriff's Department for updated information with evacuations, visit: ocsheriff.gov/airportfire
Orange County Alerts: To sign up for emergency alerts, visit: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085613900/login
Riverside Country Alerts: To sign up for emergency alerts, visit: https://rivcoready.org/alert-rivco
Temporary Evacuation Sites:
Orange County:
- CITIZEN CARE AND RECEPTION SHELTER(S):
- Foothill Ranch Library
27002 Cabriole Way; Foothill Ranch, CA 92618
- LARGE ANIMAL SHELTERS:
- Orange County Fairgrounds: 88 Fair Drive; Costa Mesa, CA
- Los Alamitos Race Course: 4961 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA
- Nohl Ranch Saddle Club: 6352 E. Nohl Ranch Rd. Anaheim, CA
- ANIMAL SERVICES:
- OC Animal Care: 1630 Victory Road; Tustin CA
Orange County Residents that need animal assistance can call (949)470-3045
Riverside County:
- CITIZEN CARE AND RECEPTION SHELTER(S):
- Ortega High School: 520 Chaney St, Lake Elsinore, CA
- ANIMAL SHELTERS:
- Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter: 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA
Riverside County residents needing assistance with large animal evacuations can call (951) 358-7387.
Road Closures:
- Plano Trabuco / Joshua Drive
- Santa Margarita Parkway / Antonio Parkway
- Plano Trabuco / Robinson Ranch
- Avenida Empressa / Santa Margarita Parkway
- Antonio Parkway / Alas de Paz
- Trabuco Canyon / Trabuco Creek
- Santiago Canyon Road
- Live Oak Canyon Road
- Ortega Highway (east of Quarry to Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore)
| Current as of | Sun, 09/15/2024 - 14:00 |
|---|---|
| Incident Time Zone | America/Los_Angeles |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Human |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Trabuco Canyon |
| Incident Commander | C. Coots/ M. Conklin/ P. Russell(T) K. Fetterman (OCFA) T. Hopkins (CALFIRE/RCOFD) M. Beverlin(T) (CALFIRE/RCOFD) K. Monteleone (OCSD) J. Sexton (RSO) |
| Incident Description | Current as of 9/15/24 09:30 a.m. Updates will occur twice a day. |
| Coordinates |
33° 39' 45'' Latitude
-117° 34' 54
'' Longitude
|
| Total Personnel: | 1941 |
|---|---|
| Size | 23,519 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 19% |
| Fuels Involved | Trabuco Canyon, El Cariso, and the fire impact area have a mix of tall grasses, heavy chaparral, and oak woodlands. Persistently poor relative humidity recovery provides enhanced capacity for the grass and brush component to connect areas of heavy, large fuels. Despite fewer hours of daylight, a stubbornly dry atmosphere has widened the practical burn period. |
| Significant Events | The Airport fire is active with backing, creeping and smoldering. |
| Planned Actions |
Crews will continue to construct direct and indirect fireline, while scouting for additional opportunities for |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Increasing marine clouds after 8pm with light gravity winds overnight. Areas of fog and haze in low lying topography. Min Temps: 57-63 RH Max: 90-95% Winds: SW 5-8mph, then diurnal slope winds 3-5mph after 10pm 24 hours: Cooler with thick marine inversion breaking around 1pm. Max Temps: 70-76 Min RH: 55-65% 48 hours: Cloudy cool and breezy with a thick marine layer and areas of drizzle or light rain mostly in the |
| Weather Concerns | Strong onshore flow will maintain a thick marine layer tonight and bring RH's near 90% over most of the fire below 3500B. Below average temperatures and excellent RH recovery is expected as an area low pressure approaches California Sunday and Monday. Mostly light southwesterly winds will prevail over the upper elevations and ridges while diurnal slope winds are expected over the lower elevation and drainages. Light showers or drizzle will develop overnight Sunday into Monday and bring near 0.10 of an inch of rain over the fire. |
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