Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/22/2024
Time:
8:11 PM

Public Information Email: 2024.airport@firenet.gov

Primary Media Line: 949-573-5527

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
81%
Structures Threatened
20,780
Structures Destroyed
160
Structures Damaged
34
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
19
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

This evening, the Airport fire’s containment is 81 percent. Crews on the mountain worked hard to get to that number, Today, they continued their patrol, mop-up, and backhaul efforts in all sections of the fire, which has not moved in multiple days.
The temperature was warmer today as predicted, and we’re expecting more of the same over the next few days. Fine, dead fuels that are present near the fire line are dry again, increasing their susceptibility to burn. Our continuous patrols are there to make sure this is a very unlikely event.
Resources are patrolling the different sections of the fire front, making sure the existing fuel breaks are reinforced and intact. Tomorrow morning, our drones will make more passes around the fire with infrared cameras, insuring there are no additional areas of heat we were not aware of. More crews and equipment are preparing to depart from the fire tomorrow morning. The management of the fire will be transitioning to a Cleveland National Forest Type 3 Management Team this Tuesday, September 24th.
Southern California Edison will be re-installing power poles that were damaged during the fire. To do this, they will be carrying new poles by helicopter, along the Ortega Highway. Although they are planning to conduct these operations during minimal traffic periods, there will be instances when significant delays occur.

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

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
  • Silverado Canyon and Maple Springs
  • North Main Road and Ortega Highway
  • Long Canyon Road and Ortega
    Highway

Forest Closure

The Cleveland NF has temporary closure of the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. This closure prohibits going into or being upon any National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundaries of the Trabuco Ranger District. The closure will be in effect from September 18, 2024 until September 17, 2025, to provide for public health and safety concerns related to the Airport Fire. To view the Forest Orders and Maps, visit our website at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727

Assigned Resources

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

Engines
47
Water Tenders
34
Helicopters
8
Dozers
9
Hand Crews
35
Total Personnel
1189

Cooperating Agencies

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