Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/19/2024
Time:
8:46 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
42%
Structures Threatened
20,780
Structures Destroyed
160
Structures Damaged
34
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
13
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Fire managers describe progress on the Airport Fire as “very successful” yesterday and last night. Firefighters will continue to build on that success as numerous crews surround the perimeter connecting fire line, seeking out hot spots, removing unneeded equipment and start focusing on suppression repair of contingency lines.
Night crews extinguished several hot spots in the Modjeska and Santiago Peak areas where brush and duff continue to hold heat. Along the northeast line from Santiago Creek to the Modjeska Peak, crews will hold and improve lines today. Hot shot crews have now been able to reach remote, previously inaccessible areas along the southern fire line near Sugarloaf Mountain to reinforce the fire perimeter in that area. Repopulated areas near El Cariso, Decker Canyon and Long Canyon remain a primary focus. In an effort to ensure hot spots, snags and fire lines are secure, crews are walking grid lines through the fire area. During morning briefing, firefighters were told to “treat it as if it were your own backyard.”
Please note: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the incident and the immediate area. Drones or other non-incident related aircraft are not permitted to operate in the area while the TFR is in effect. Flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives. When unauthorized drones fly near wildfires, fire response agencies have to ground their aircraft to avoid the potential for midair collisions. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents and property in nearby
communities. Anyone who violates a TFR zone can be arrested and/or fined.

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.

  •   Animal services large and small:                

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

Riverside County:

  • 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
  • Silverado Canyon and Maple Springs
  • Hot Springs Canyon Road, North of
    Ortega Highway

Soft Road Closures

  • Long Canyon Road and Ortega Highway
  • North Main Divide 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

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders

Orange County:

  • Zones: ELC01

Riverside County:

  • Zones: RVC-1521-A, RVC-1622-A, RVC-1724-B

Evacuation Warnings

Riverside County:

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

Assigned Resources

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

Engines
85
Water Tenders
34
Helicopters
9
Dozers
17
Hand Crews
73
Total Personnel
2007

Cooperating Agencies

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