Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/24/2024
Time:
10:52 PM

Public Information Email: 2024.airport@firenet.gov

Fire Information: (949)384-8736

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
Cleveland National Forest
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
23,526
Containment
95%
Structures Threatened
20,780
Structures Destroyed
160
Structures Damaged
34
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
20
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Crews continue to patrol the fire, searching for any remaining heat with infrared drones, and hauling out any leftover hose or equipment. Suppression repair has begun on many areas throughout the fire’s footprint. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have also started the process of evaluating the potential for soil and watershed impact by the fire.
A Type 3 Incident Management team has now assumed command of the Airport incident.  The Incident Command Post formerly located in the City of Irvine will be relocated to Lake Elsinore.
Warm temperatures were present throughout the day (80-90 degrees) and are expected again tomorrow.  Later in the week, temperatures are anticipated to begin a gradual cooling trend, starting on Friday and continuing throughout the weekend.
Southern California Edison will be using helicopters to install power poles that were damaged during the fire, along Ortega Highway.  This operation is ongoing, and drivers along Ortega Highway should expect some delays until this project is complete.

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

Airport Fire Photos and Videos

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 National Forest has a temporary closure of the Trabuco Ranger District. 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
6
Water Tenders
10
Helicopters
3
Dozers
11
Hand Crews
5
Total Personnel
461

Cooperating Agencies

Name Phone Address URL
CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, Orange County Sheriff Department, California Highway Patrol, CAL OES, Orange County Public Works, Riverside County Sheriff Department, Southern California Edison.