Raging Airport Fire caused by heavy equipment as thousands remain under evacuation orders
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - A fire that started in Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon has raced over the mountain ridgeline and down into the Temescal Valley near Lake Elsinore in Riverside County.
Thousands of homes remain threatened as the fire has erupted to over 23,000 acres. The latest update indicates the fire burned 23,519 acres with 31% containment. The fire has damaged 34 structures and left 160 destroyed.
Investigators said the Airport Fire, which broke out Monday, Sept. 9, just before 1:30 p.m., was unintentionally caused by heavy equipment used by a public works employee. In the days since, 13 people, including 11 firefighters, have been injured.
Investigators said the Airport Fire, which broke out Monday, Sept. 9, just before 1:30 p.m., was unintentionally caused by heavy equipment used by a public works employee. In the days since, 13 people, including 11 firefighters, have been injured.
"The fire is classified as unintentional. The cause of the fire was a spark from heavy equipment," Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Deputy Chief TJ McGovern said. "After placing a load of boulders, the operators began seeing smoke coming from the area of the loader's basket."
"The operator and the supervisor used multiple fire extinguishers and the loaders to attempt to extinguish the fire while 911 was being called," McGovern added.
As of Tuesday, OCFA says there have yet to be reports of homes damaged by the fire.
The fire was further fueled by heat and winds amid a late summer heat wave. Fire crews in Southern California have their hands tied with multiple wildfires burning across the region.
Airport Fire (Alfonso Rupp KTTV)
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the vegetation fire is burning on Trabuco Creek Road near the remote-controlled airplane airport.
Mandatory Evacuations
An up-to-date, interactive map of evacuation orders and warnings in Orange and Riverside County can be found by tapping or clicking here.
Information on the response in Orange County can be found by going to ocsheriff.gov.AirportFire.
Evacuation Orders and Evacuations in Orange and Riverside Counties as of 2 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2024.
Orange County:
- Zone RSM03, including residences within/near:Homes on Meander LaneTrabuco HighlandsTrabuco Highland Apartment Complex
- Homes on Meander Lane
- Trabuco Highlands
- Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
- Zone ELC01 including residences within/near:Rose Canyon RoadTrabuco Creek RoadTrabuco Canyon RoadTrabuco Oaks DriveJoplin LoopCook's CornerDove CanyonOrtega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & CampgroundsEl Cariso & Blue Jay Campground
- Rose Canyon Road
- Trabuco Creek Road
- Trabuco Canyon Road
- Trabuco Oaks Drive
- Joplin Loop
- Cook's Corner
- Dove Canyon
- Ortega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & Campgrounds
- El Cariso & Blue Jay Campground
Riverside County:
- Zone RVC-1725
- Zone RVC-1798
- Zone RVC-1865
- Zone RVC-1866
- Zone RVC-1933
- Zone RVC-1934
- Zone RVC-1935
- Zone RVC-1999
- Zone RVC-2074
- Zone RVC-2142
- Zone RVC-2143
- North of the Riverside County/San Diego County line
- South of Lake Elsinore, near the base of the Ortega Highway
- East of the Orange County/Riverside County line
- West of S. Main Divide Road and Grand Avenue
Evacuation Warnings
An up-to-date, interactive map of evacuation orders and warnings in Orange and Riverside County can be found by tapping or clicking here.
Information on the response in Orange County can be found by going to ocsheriff.gov.AirportFire.
As of Tuesday, evacuation warnings were in effect in Orange and Riverside counties.
Orange County
- Robinson Ranch
- Zone TBU01
- Zone RSM01
- Zone RSM02
- Zone ORT01
- Zone CDC01
- Zone CDC02
- Zone MOD01
- Zone SIL01
Riverside County
- Zone LSN-1524
- Zone LSN-1525
- Zone LSN-1526
- Zone LSN-1623
- Zone LSN-1624
- Zone LSN-1625
- Zone LSN-1626
- Zone LSN-1627
- Zone RVC-1153
- Zone RVC-1265
- Zone RVC-1267
- Zone RVC-1269
- Zone RVC-1395
- Zone RVC-1396
- Zone RVC-1397
- Zone RVC-1398
- Zone RVC-1399
- Zone RVC-1400
- Zone RVC-1401
- Zone RVC-1402
- Zone RVC-1404
- Zone RVC-1405
- Zone RVC-1521
- Zone RVC-1522
- Zone RVC-1523
- Zone RVC-1724
- Zone RVC-1622
Evacuation shelters
A care and reception center has been set up at Santiago High School located at 1395 E Foothill Parkway in Corona. Animals may also be brought to the Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley.
A long-term care and reception shelter was set up at the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tour Regional Community Center located at 22232 El Paseo in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita.
A large animal shelter is located at the Orange County Fair Grounds, located at 88 Fair Drive in the City of Costa Mesa.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Road Closures
As of Tuesday, Ortega Highway is closed from Grand Avenue to Nichols Institute.
The roads below are closed to the public at the following intersections:
- Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive (Soft closure)
- Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
- Antonio and Alas de Paz
- Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
- Santa Margarita and Antonio Avenida
- Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway
Federal Aid
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced California secured a Fire Management Assistant Grant (FMAG) to bring federal resources in the firefight.
"California is continuing to see extreme fire behavior across multiple locations in Southern California, where hot, dry weather has led to rapid fire growth. We are thankful for federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration to support firefighters as they work to suppress these fires and keep people safe," Newsom said in a released statement.
Other fires burning nearby
Firefighters in SoCal are also responding to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Bridge Fire in the San Gabriel Canyon.
RELATED: