Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/14/2024
Time:
8:03 PM

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
19%
Structures Threatened
21,993
Structures Destroyed
109
Structures Damaged
24
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
12
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

The Airport Fire is 23,519 acres with 19% containment. Active fire behavior was observed near Modjeska Peak and Sugar Loaf today. Multiple aircraft were utilized to address the increased activity and assist ground crews in moderating fire behavior. Substantial progress was made toward Bell Canyon through the combined efforts of heavy equipment, hand tools, and aerial support. In Trabuco Canyon, direct and indirect firelines were successfully constructed toward El Cariso. Ongoing efforts focused on preventing further property loss and establishing a containment line to confine the fire within its current boundaries. Damage assessment teams diligently evaluated the extent of structural damage, and those efforts will continue as they gain access.
Favorable weather conditions persisted, with the marine layer returning this evening and forecast light precipitation in the coming days. Despite recent weather, the dry vegetation has exhibited active fire behavior, indicating the continued risk of increased fire activity.
Evacuation levels are being assessed daily by fire managers in collaboration with law enforcement based on fire containment and safety considerations. Efforts are underway to safely return residents to their homes as conditions permit.

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-1936, RVC-2074, RVC-2142, RVC-2143, RVC-1935

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

Assigned Resources

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

Engines
253
Water Tenders
15
Helicopters
10
Dozers
31
Hand Crews
36
Total Personnel
1949

Cooperating Agencies

Name Phone Address URL
Cal Fire, CHP, Orange County Sheriff, Orange County Public Works, Cal OES