Raging Airport Fire caused by heavy equipment as thousands remain under evacuation orders

Airport Fire containment reaches 13%

The fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest in Orange and Riverside Counties has scorched more than 23,500 acres.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - A fire that started in Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon has raced over the mountain ridgeline and down into the Temescal Valley near Lake Elsinore in Riverside County.

Thousands of homes remain threatened as the fire has erupted to over 23,000 acres. The latest update indicates the fire burned 23,519 acres with 31% containment. The fire has damaged 34 structures and left 194 destroyed.

Investigators said the Airport Fire, which broke out Monday, Sept. 9, just before 1:30 p.m., was unintentionally caused by heavy equipment used by a public works employee. In the days since, 13 people, including 11 firefighters, have been injured.

"The fire is classified as unintentional. The cause of the fire was a spark from heavy equipment," Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Deputy Chief TJ McGovern said. "After placing a load of boulders, the operators began seeing smoke coming from the area of the loader's basket."

"The operator and the supervisor used multiple fire extinguishers and the loaders to attempt to extinguish the fire while 911 was being called," McGovern added.

Woman flees Airport Fire in Orange County

Dramatic video shows a woman running from the flames of the Airport Fire in Orange County.

Airport Fire burns 9,000+ acres in Orange County

In an update Tuesday morning, fire officials said the Airport Fire burning in Trabuco Canyon has grown to over 9,000 acres.

The fire was further fueled by heat and winds amid a late summer heat wave. Fire crews in Southern California have their hands tied with multiple wildfires burning across the region.

Airport Fire (Alfonso Rupp KTTV)

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the vegetation fire is burning on Trabuco Creek Road near the remote-controlled airplane airport.

Massive fire burns Trabuco Canyon

A massive 1,300-acre fire is burning parts of Trabuco Canyon, prompting evacuations in the area.

Mandatory Evacuations

An up-to-date, interactive map of evacuation orders and warnings in Orange and Riverside County can be found by tapping or clicking here.

Information on the response in Orange County can be found by going to ocsheriff.gov.AirportFire.

Evacuation Orders and Evacuations in Orange and Riverside Counties as of 2 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2024.

Orange County:

Zones: ELC01

Riverside County:

Zones: RVC-1521, RVC-1622, RVC-1724-B, RVC-1800, RVC-1725-B, RVC-1798, RVC-1865-B, RVC-1934-B, RVC-1802, RVC-1521, RVC-1622, RVC-1724-B, RVC-1800, RVC-1725-B, RVC-1798, RVC-1865-B, RVC-1934-B, RVC-1802

Evacuation Warnings

An up-to-date, interactive map of evacuation orders and warnings in Orange and Riverside County can be found by tapping or clicking here.

Information on the response in Orange County can be found by going to ocsheriff.gov.AirportFire.

As of Tuesday, evacuation warnings were in effect in Orange and Riverside counties.

Orange County

Zones: ORT01B

Riverside County

Zones: LSN-1524, LSN-1525, LSN-1526, LSN-1623, LSN-1624, LSN-1625, LSN-1626, LSN-1627, RVC-1050, RVC-1052, 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-1266, RVC-1153, RVC-1265, RVC 1267, RVC-1269, RVC-1395, RVC-1396, RVC-1397, RVC-1398, RVC-1399, RVC-1400, RVC-1401, RVC-1404, RVC-1405, RVC-1522, RVC-1523, RVC-1724-A, RVC-1725-A, RVC-1865-A, RVC-1866, RVC-1933, RVC-1934-A, RVC-1999

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.

Large animal sheltersOrange 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
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
Animal services: OC Animal Care: 1630 Victory Rd., Tustin, CA
OC Animal Care: 1630 Victory Rd., Tustin, CA

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

Riverside County

Care and reception shelters:Ortega High School located at 520 Chaney St., Lake Elsinore, Ca.
Ortega High School located at 520 Chaney St., Lake Elsinore, Ca.
Animal shelters:Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter: 6851 Van Buren Blvd, Jurupa Valley, CARiverside County residents needing assistance with large animal evacuations can call (951) 358-7387
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

Hard Road Closures

Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road
Santiago Peak Trailhead via Maple Springs

Soft Road Closures

Modjeska Grade Road and Santiago Canyon Road
Modjeska Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road
Silverado Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road

Federal Aid

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced California secured a Fire Management Assistant Grant (FMAG) to bring federal resources in the firefight.

"California is continuing to see extreme fire behavior across multiple locations in Southern California, where hot, dry weather has led to rapid fire growth. We are thankful for federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration to support firefighters as they work to suppress these fires and keep people safe," Newsom said in a released statement.