The Airport Fire, burning in eastern Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon, is one of three significant wildfires sweeping through Southern California. As temperatures soar and dry conditions persist, firefighters continue to battle these dangerous blazes.
By Tuesday afternoon, the Airport Fire had grown to 9,333 acres and remained 0% contained. Thousands of residents in the Rancho Santa Margarita area face evacuation orders, with Trabuco Canyon located north of the city in the Santa Ana Mountains foothills.
At approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday, officials extended mandatory evacuation orders. “This is a law enforcement order to leave immediately,” warned Cal Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fire, named the Airport Fire after it began near a remote-controlled airplane airport on Trabuco Creek Road on Monday afternoon, has rapidly grown since. Initially starting at around 1 p.m., it spread to over 5,400 acres within hours, burning through hillside vegetation.
Meanwhile, the Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest and the Line Fire in San Bernardino County also rage on. The Bridge Fire, which started Sunday evening, expanded from 800 acres to nearly 3,000 acres in less than a day, and by Tuesday, had surpassed 4,000 acres. The Line Fire, the largest of the three, has grown to over 27,000 acres, with firefighters reporting 5% containment by Tuesday afternoon.
With the Airport Fire intensifying, the Orange County Fire Authority has deployed approximately 1,000 personnel, including ground crews, helicopters, and aircraft, to prevent the fire from reaching homes. Two firefighters have been treated for heat-related injuries, while one civilian was hospitalized due to smoke inhalation; all are expected to recover.
During a press conference on Monday, Cleveland National Forest District Ranger Darrell Vance expressed concerns that the fire is moving toward the area impacted by the 2018 Holy Fire, which burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 20 structures. However, Vance remains hopeful that the previous burn scar will help slow the current blaze’s spread.
Authorities believe the fire was unintentionally started by public works crews using heavy equipment in the area on Monday afternoon. However, this has not been fully confirmed.
Firefighters also report that the scars from previous fires are slowing the fire’s progression as it moves away from homes and into the Cleveland National Forest.
On Tuesday afternoon, mandatory evacuation orders were expanded, replacing voluntary warnings in some areas. Residents near the following locations are now required to evacuate:
Other areas, including Silverado Canyon and Rancho Santa Margarita, remain under voluntary evacuation warnings.
Road closures include:
A long-term care shelter has been established at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita, and large animals are being sheltered in Costa Mesa. Riverside County residents can evacuate to Santiago High School in Corona, where animals are also accepted. A temporary site has been set up at the Lake Forest Sports Complex.
Riverside County Impact
Late Monday, Riverside County issued evacuation warnings for areas on the opposite side of the Santa Ana Mountains. The Lake Elsinore Unified School District closed all schools on Tuesday due to smoke, ensuring student and community safety.
Residents have reported ash falling across the region, reaching as far as Temecula on Monday evening.
Contact Avian Law Group for assistance with your fire damage claim and legal matters during this difficult time.