Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/14/2024
Time:
7:55 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
23,410
Containment
9%
Structures Threatened
21,993
Structures Destroyed
107
Structures Damaged
12
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
11
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Crews have skillfully constructed indirect containment lines using dozers and hand crews, particularly in areas like Decker Canyon, where they've reinforced existing lines to prevent further fire spread. Although direct lines have been challenging to build due to rugged terrain, favorable weather conditions have supported their efforts.
An aerial reconnaissance mission was conducted over the Sugar Loaf Canyon area to develop a strategic plan for future operations. Additionally, utility companies like Edison, Caltrans, and Frontier Communications are actively working along the Ortega Highway to restore essential services.
Overall, the firefighters' efforts demonstrate positive results in containing the fire and mitigating damage. However, the situation remains fluid, and crews will continue to adapt their strategies in response to changing conditions.
A number of structures damaged include commercial, residential, and minor structures.

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-1935, 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

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.

      Saddleback Church and the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower Regional Community Center are closed.

  • 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
    • Serrano Creek Stable in Lake Forest is currently full.
  •   Animal services:
    • Mission Viejo Animal Services is at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center to assist with sheltering pets and help evacuated residents reunite with their pets. If you need assistance with your pet, please call 949-470-3045 and press 2.                     
    • OC Animal Care: 1630 Victory Rd., Tustin, CA    

Riverside County:

  • Care and reception shetlers:
    • Temescal Canyon High School: 28755 El Toro Road, Lake Elsinore, CA
    • Santiago High School: 1395 E Foothill Pkwy, Corona, CA
    • An additional Evacuation Shelter is open at Temescal Canyon High School in the big gym located at 28755 El Toro Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA. The site is equipped with cots, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, water, snacks, and welcoming staff. 
  • Animal shelters:
    • Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter: 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CA
    • An additional Large Animal Shelter is available at the Murrieta Equestrian Center located at 42670 Juniper St, Murrieta, CA. Basic food and water are available at animal shelters. If your pets/animals have special diets or special needs, please bring special food or medications with your animals.
    • 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