Single Publication

Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA

Personnel: 265

Start date: 09/09/24 1:00 p.m.

Cause: Human

Size: 23,519

Percent contained: 95%

Progress continues on the Airport Fire.  Handcrews engaged on the northern end of the fire. This is the area with the most deep-seated heat and difficult terrain to access.  Hotshot crews were able to continue mitigating heat signatures from this section and reinforced existing firelines and fuelbreaks.  They are also patrolling and monitoring all divisions of the fire, making sure no additional heat remains.  Air resources are also flying missions, backhauling equipment, and providing aerial reconnaissance to crews on the ground.  They are also employing UAS drones outfitted with infrared sensors to identify any points of heat that could threaten the containment lines. These drones will be active in these same areas over the next few days.

Additional resources are engaged along the fire’s perimeter, working with the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, assessing the potential for watershed emergencies that could develop during the rainy season, such as flooding or mudslides.  Fire suppression repair is also ongoing, with crews working hard to minimize the impacts on the land from the recent activity.

Over the next several days, additional crews will be working in Trabuco Canyon, felling hazardous trees that have been identified. These are trees that were too heavily damaged by the fire to continue standing, or pose a serious threat of falling near roads, structures, or people. 

Hikers and mountain bikers have been observed on some of the trails within the fire’s footprint. We would like to remind everyone that a closure order is in effect for the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. Please do not enter the closure area or recreate on any of the firelines constructed for the incident. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727

Southern California Edison Electric Utility Company continues to replace damaged power poles and lines in the Lake Elsinore area and will be using helicopters to transport and place these poles. Operations will be scheduled during times of minimal highway use. However, all motorists should be aware that traffic delays can occasionally occur for extended periods. Please plan accordingly.

AIR QUALITY:

Visit AirNow.gov for information and actions you can take to protect yourself and loved ones.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Hard road closures are as follows:

• Trabuco Creek Road
• Maple Springs Road
• North Main Divide Road at Ortega Highway
• Long Canyon Road at Ortega Highway

EVACUATIONS:

All Evacuation orders have been lifted.

CLOSURES:

The Cleveland National Forest has a temporary closure of the Trabuco Ranger District. This closure prohibits going into or, being upon any National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundaries of the Trabuco Ranger District. The closure will be in effect from September 18, 2024 until September 17, 2025, to provide for public health and safety concerns related to the Airport Fire. To view the Forest Orders and Maps, visit our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727 .

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction in effect.  Updates on the locations and status of this TFR can be accessed at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.