Single Publication

Location:  Trabuco Canyon, CA 

Personnel: 771 

Start Date:  9/9/ 2024 01:00pm  

Cause: Human 

Size: 23,410 acres  

Percent contained: 5% 

The Airport Fire remains a significant threat to Orange County and Riverside County communities. While the Orange County Incident Management team has transitioned to California Incident Management Team 2, a unified command structure remains in place to coordinate efforts across all cooperating agencies. Through relentless firefighting, crews have managed to contain 5% of the Airport Fire, marking a positive step towards controlling the fire. 

To effectively combat the fire, firefighter priorities include containing the northern flank, constructing fire lines, seizing favorable weather conditions for direct engagement, and maintaining strong coordination between agencies. Ongoing tasks involve monitoring fire behavior and supporting affected communities. By prioritizing these actions, firefighters can minimize damage and protect the affected communities. The fire continues to spread along all fronts, with the southeastern fronts showing the most growth. The fire made several runs at the Santiago Peak communications array this morning.  Although there was some damage, the facility continues to function.  The fire has crossed Ortega Highway and the fire has impacted structures in the area; firefighters are actively engaged in these areas. Crews will continue constructing direct and indirect fire lines while scouting for additional opportunities to establish containment lines.  

Weather permitting and when terrain and fire behavior allow, firefighters will build line directly along the fires edge. The work of current and incoming hand crews is essential for capitalizing on this favorable window. Firefighters continue working both day and night shifts, along with helicopters, air tankers, and heavy equipment, to continue engaging the fire on all sides to limit the lateral spread. Additional resources are in neighborhoods and communities, providing defense of structures and critical infrastructure. Damage assessments will be conducted within the fire area as conditions allow, prioritizing safety. Due to the nature of the fire, multiple areas have experienced structural damage, and the full extent of the losses is currently being evaluated. A damage assessment team will be deployed to survey the affected areas and provide a more accurate count of damaged structures. Additional firefighting resource requests are being made to our partner agencies around the state. 

Evacuations remain in place to protect lives, but the unpredictable nature of the fire poses risks to those who remain in the affected areas. To minimize the damage and ensure the safety of all, individuals and communities should follow evacuation orders, stay informed about the situation, prepare for potential power outages, protect their property if possible, and support relief efforts. 

The safety of firefighters and the public remains paramount in our response to the Airport Fire. Unfortunately, there have been reported injuries among both firefighters and the public. The fire managers will continue to actively implement measures to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of all personnel involved.

Evacuation Center Locations & Services: 

Orange County:  

Civilian: 

RSM Bell Tower Community Center 

22232 El Paseo;  Rancho Santa Margarita, CA  (Open 24 Hours) 

Large Animals: 

Orange County Fairgrounds                 Los Alamitos Race Course                           Nohl Ranch Saddle Club 

88 Fair Drive;  Costa Mesa, CA       4961 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA              6352 E. Nohl Ranch Rd. Anaheim, CA 

(714) 708-1588                                                (714) 820-2830                                              (714) 308-1093 

Animal Services:     

OC Animal Care 

1630 Victory Road;  Tustin, CA 

Riverside County:  

Civilian: 

Temescal Canyon High School                            Santiago High School 

28755 El Toro Road, Lake Elsinore, CA              1395 E Foothill Pkwy, Corona, CA 

Temescal Canyon High School  

28755 El Toro Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA.  

In the big gym equipped with cots, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, water, snacks, and welcoming staff.  

Animal Shelters:  

Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter:  

6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA 

Large Animal Shelter:  

Murrieta Equestrian Center  

42670 Juniper St, Murrieta, CA.  

Basic food and water are available at animal shelters. If your pets/animals have special diets or special needs, please bring special food or medications with your animals. 

Large Animal Evacuations: 

Riverside residents that need animal assistance can call (951) 358-7387. 

Evacuation Orders: 

Orange County: 

Evacuation Warning                                                     Evacuation Order 

Rose Canyon                                                                   Robinson Ranch 

Trabuco Canyon                                                             Ortega Highway 

Dove Canyon                                                                  Caspers Park 

Silverado Canyon                                                            Blue Jay Campground 

Modjeska Canyon                                                           El Cariso 

East Side Coto de Caza 

For updated evacuation zones, please visit ocsheriff.gov/airportfire                                    

Riverside County: 

Evacuation Warning 

RVC-1153-A, RVC-1265, RVC-1267, RVC-1269, RVC-1395, RVC-1396, RVC-1397, RVC-1398, RVC-1399, RVC-1400, RVC-1401, RVC-1402, RVC-1404, RVC-1405, RVC-1522, RVC-1523, RVC-2076, RVC-2077, RVC-2145, RVC-2146, RVC-2147, RVC-2244, RVC-2245, RVC-1160, RVC-1154, RVC-1156, RVC-1052, RVC-1155, RVC-1263, RVC-1158, RVC-1262, RVC-1161, RVC-1157, RVC-1261, RVC-1259, RVC-1260, RVC-1266, RVC-1159, RVC-1050 

Evacuation Order 

LSN-1524, LSN-1525, LSN-1526, LSN-1623, LSN-1624, LSN-1625, LSN-1626, LSN-1627, LSN-1799, LSN-1803, RVC-1521, RVC-1622, RVC-1724, RVC-1725, RVC-1726, RVC-1728, RVC-1729, RVC-1798, RVC-1800, RVC-1801, RVC-1802, RVC-1804, RVC-1806, RVC-1807, RVC-1808, RVC-1809, RVC-1810, RVC-1865, RVC-1866, RVC-1867, RVC-1868, RVC-1869, RVC-1870, RVC-1933, RVC-1934, RVC-1935, RVC-1936, RVC-1999, RVC-2000, RVC-2074, RVC-2075, RVC-2142, RVC-2143, RVC-2144, RVC-2197, RVC-2243 

For updated evacuation zones, please visit https://rivcoready.org/alert-rivco 

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) 

Resources:

Engines:134 

Water Tenders: 17 

Helicopters: 10 

Air Tankers:  10 

Hand Crews:  8 

Dozers:  7 

Other:  0 

Total Personnel:  771 

Cooperating Agencies: 

CHP, Orange County Parks, California State Parks, Orange County Animal Control, CalOES, OC Public Works.  

Airport Fire Map September 12.jpg

Thu, 09/12/2024 - 13:24

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Airport Fire Map September 12.jpg