Airport Fire was likely caused by public works crews in Orange County, officials say
Orange County firefighters rushed to Trabuco Canyon to douse flames burning vegetation on the hillside on Monday. The flames quickly grew to engulf more than 5,400 acres and forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
The Orange County Fire Authority dubbed it the Airport Fire after it started near a remote-controlled airplane airport on Trabuco Creek Road.
Evacuations and road closures
The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a voluntary evacuation warning for people living near:
- Rose Canyon Road
- Trabuco Canyon Road
- Trabuco Creek Canyon Road
- Trabuco Oaks Drive
- Joplin Loop
- Cook's Corner
The department issued an evacuation order for homes on Meander Lane, including:
- Robinson Ranch HOA
- Trabuco Highlands HOA
- Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
Firefighters asked people to avoid the area to allow firefighters to respond effectively. Deputies closed the following roads:
- Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
- Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
- Antonio and Alas de Paz
- Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
- Santa Margarita and Antonio
- Avenida Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway
Authorities established a long-term car and reception shelter at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688. A large animal shelter has been established at 88 Fair Drive in the City of Costa Mesa.
For those in Riverside County, an evacuation center is available at Santiago High School, located at 1395 E. Foothill Parkway in Corona. Animals can also be brought to that location.
Rapidly moving flames
The Airport Fire exploded in size, growing from 7 acres to more than 5,400 acres within eight hours, according to Cal Fire. However, the OCFA said the fire started to burn uphill and away from homes.
Orange County deployed around 1,000 personnel, including hand crews, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, to extinguish the fire before it reached homes.
Two OFCA firefighters were treated for heat-related injury before being taken to a local hospital. One civilian was also hospitalized after suffering from smoke inhalation. All are expected to be okay, according to firefighters.
During a press conference Monday evening, Cleveland National Forest District Ranger Darrell Vance said that the fire was burning towards the footprint of the Holy Fire in 2018, which torched more than 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 20 structures.
"Obviously, we don't want to make predictions on what we think it's going to do, but we have high hopes that that's gonna assist us with the prior burn scar," Vance said.
While not fully confirmed, officials say that they believe the blaze was unintentionally started by public works crews that were using heavy equipment in the area Monday afternoon.
This is one of three massive fires currently burning in Southern California after the Line Fire, which has forced thousands of evacuations in San Bernardino County, and the Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest quickly grew in size over the weekend.
Riverside County impact
Later Monday, Riverside County Fire Department also issued evacuation warnings for people living on the other side of the Santa Ana Mountains, including:
- RVC zones 1153, 1265, 1267, 1269, 1395, 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1405, 1521, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1625, 1626, 1627, 1724, 1725
- North of Main Divide Road, south of Bedford Motor Way, west of I-15 and east of the Orange County line
- North of Ortega Highway, south of Bedford Motor Way, west of I-15 and east of the Orange County line
Lake Elsinore Unified School District announced that all school campuses would be closed on Tuesday due to the intense smoke lingering over the area, with the fire raging just over the Santa Ana Mountains.
"This decision is made out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our students, staff, community and first responders," said a statement from LEUSD officials. "We understand the impact this may have on our families and want to assure you that we will keep you informed throughout the day as the situation develops. Our primary focus is the safety of our school communities."
