Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/16/2024
Time:
10:54 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
Under Investigation
Counties
Orange, Riverside
Administration Unit
Riverside County Fire Department
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
23,519
Containment
31%
Structures Threatened
20,780
Structures Destroyed
160
Structures Damaged
34
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
12
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Fire crews made significant progress yesterday on all sides of the fire perimeter. Hot spots near Santiago Peak were extinguished with helicopter water drops. Fire activity is expected to be minimal today as a weather front passes through with cool temperatures and high relative humidity. It was a quiet night on the Airport Fire as welcome precipitation fell over the entire fire footprint.

Fire operations will take advantage of the weather and continue to construct direct fire lines north and south of the Holy Fire Scar. Lines are holding well from Joplin Trail to the Santiago Truck trail. Hot Shot crews spiked out along the southern perimeter of the fire are making good progress digging fire line while traversing steep, rough terrain. Helicopters are providing crew supplies using sling loads. Direct handline in the canyon above Lake Elsinore is also being tied in. Fire operations in the El Cariso Area are mostly complete and equipment is being backhauled. Various utility companies are addressing service issues in the area. Faller modules will be arriving with chainsaws to address identified hazard trees. Protection of communities to the east, west and southeast remain as top priorities in addition to firefighter and public safety. Fire managers are focused on “connecting the dots” addressing any incomplete fire line sections.

Downed power lines are a safety concern for crews and the public. Use of generators and solar power could cause some downed power lines to be energized. Firefighters were warned to “consider ALL electrical lines hot” and use caution in all activities including driving. Fire crews, Cal Trans and utility companies are working together along the Ortega highway to identify and address hot spots, hazard trees, damaged guard rails, electrical lines, power poles and other issues.

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

Road Closures

Hard Road Closures

  • Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road
  • El Toro Road and Live Oak Canyon Road
  • Ortega Highway at Nichols Institute

Soft Road Closures

  • Plano Trabuco Road at Joshua Drive
  • Plano Trabuco Road at Robinson Ranch Road
  • 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, ORT01-B
  • Areas include: Caspers Regional Park, San Juan Springs, Blue Jay campground.

Riverside County:

  • Zones: RVC-1521, RVC-1622, RVC-1724-B, RVC-1725, RVC-1798, RVC-1800, RVC-1802, RVC-1865, RVC-1866, RVC-1933, RVC-1934, RVC-1999

Evacuation Warnings

Orange County:

  • Zones: CDC01, CDC02, MOD01, ORT01-A, RSM01, RSM02, RSM03, SIL01, TBU01
  • Areas include: Portions of Ortega Highway, Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex, the East Side of Coto de Caza, Silverado Canyon, Modjeska Canyon, Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop, Cook’s Corner, Dove Canyon, El Cariso.

Riverside County:

  • Zones: LSN-1524, LSN-1525, LSN-1526, LSN-1623, LSN-1624, LSN-1625, LSN-1626, LSN-1627, LSN-1799, LSN-1803, RVC-1050, RVC-1052, RVC-1153-A, RVC-1154, RVC-1155, RVC-1156, RVC-1157, RVC-1158, RVC-1159, RVC-1160, RVC-1161, RVC-1259, RVC-1260, RVC-1261, RVC-1262, RVC-1263, RVC-1265, RVC-1266, 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-1724-A, RVC-1726, RVC-1728, RVC-1729, RVC-1801, RVC-1804, RVC-1806, RVC-1807, RVC-1808, RVC-1809, RVC-1810, RVC-1867, RVC-1868, RVC-1869, RVC-1870, RVC-1935, RVC-1936, RVC-2074, RVC-2142, RVC-2143

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

Airport Fire Daily Map Products

Cacnf Airport Fire Incident Maps | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)

Assigned Resources

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

Engines
252
Water Tenders
15
Helicopters
8
Dozers
31
Hand Crews
47
Total Personnel
2201

Cooperating Agencies

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