Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/18/2024
Time:
10:33 AM

Public Information Line: 714-628-7085

Public Information Email: 2024.airport@firenet.gov

Primary Media Line: 949-447-1627

Secondary Media Line: 949-447-1627

Incident Facts

Name
Airport Fire
Start Date/Time
2024-09-09
Incident Status
Active
Location
Trabuco Canyon and Rose Canyon, Trabuco Canyon
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Equipment
Counties
Orange, Riverside
Administration Unit
Riverside County Fire Department
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
23,519
Containment
35%
Structures Threatened
20,780
Structures Destroyed
160
Structures Damaged
34
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
13
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Firefighters are prioritizing continued fire line construction and reinforcement by adding more layers of protection in problem areas. Fire line between Modjeska Peak and Santiago Peak is challenging due to steep, winding terrain.  Oak leaf litter and duff are providing fuel that allows the fire to slowly smolder and spread until it finds enough air to emerge and cause spot fires.  Tree and brush canopy in the area can limit effectiveness of water or retardant drops from incident aircraft requiring firefighters to get in from the ground. A mobile retardant base has been set up on the south end of the fire.  Retardant will be used to reinforce the fire perimeter in areas that have been difficult to access including the area between the San Juan and Chiquito trails near Sugarloaf Mountain. Secondary lines are being reinforced in that area. 

More than 30,000 feet of fire hose has been pulled from the El Cariso Village area. Crews responded to a burning snag well within the fire area last night. Interior hot spots near the area have been been boxed in.

The reopening of Highway 74 has significantly increased traffic. Motorists driving in the area should be aware of crews working near roadways. 

There is still a lot of heat from smoldering vegetation within the perimeter.  Firefighters are working diligently to address hot spots to prepare for any potential Santa Ana wind event.  Fire managers remain focused on securing the entire fire perimeter in coming days in advance of warmer, dryer weather. 

Governor Gavin Newsom has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppressing the Airport Fire.

3D Map

Airport Fire Daily Map Products

Evacuation Shelters

Orange County:

  • Care and reception shelter(s):

    • Foothill Ranch library located at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, 92610 is now open. Small household pets can co-locate.

  • 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 Rd., Tustin, CA

    • Orange County residents that need animal assistance can call (949)470-3045    

Riverside County:

  • Care and reception shetlers:
    • Ortega High School located at 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

Highway 74 is now open. There is still infrastructure repair occurring through Highway 74 please use caution and slow to a safe speed. Commuters should expect intermittent lengthy delays due to ongoing repair of infrastructure along the highway. Be aware that several roads off of Ortega Highway in or near the fire area in both Riverside and Orange Counties remain closed.

Hard Road Closures

  • Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road
  • Santiago Peak Trailhead via Maple Springs
  • Hot Springs Canyon Road North of Ortega Highway

Soft Road Closures

  • Modjeska Grade Road and Santiago Canyon Road 
  • Modjeska Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road 
  • Silverado Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road 

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders

Orange County:

  • Zones: ELC01

Riverside County:

  • Zones: RVC-1521-A, RVC-1622-A, RVC-1724-B, RVC-1725-B, RVC-1798-A, RVC-1865-B

Evacuation Warnings

Orange County:

  • Zones: ORT01B

Riverside County:

  • Zones: RVC-1521, RVC-1622, RVC-1724-B, RVC-1800, RVC-1725-B, RVC-1798, RVC-1865-B, RVC-1934-B, RVC-1802, RVC-1521, RVC-1622, RVC-1724-B, RVC-1800, RVC-1725-B, RVC-1798, RVC-1865-B, RVC-1934-B, RVC-1802

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
80
Water Tenders
34
Helicopters
17
Dozers
25
Hand Crews
73
Total Personnel
1988

Cooperating Agencies

Name Phone Address URL
CHP, Orange County Parks, California State Parks, Orange County Animal Control, CalOES, OC Public Works, Orange County Sheriff