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Fire Sep 16, 2024
A dozer helps contain the Airport Fire. | Photo courtesy of OCFA PIO/X
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Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped firefighters achieve 35% containment of the Airport Fire, which as of Wednesday morning has burned 23,519 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.
The fire has injured 15 people, according to Cal Fire on Wednesday morning. Residential, commercial and other structures destroyed totaled 160, and another 34 were damaged.
On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a local emergency proclamation in a 4-0 vote with Supervisor Karen Spiegel absent.
Riverside County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen had signed the emergency declaration last week, and the board’s affirmation was required to legitimize the declaration. Emergency status enables the county to request state and federal funds fore expenses related to the blaze.
“Firefighters are prioritizing continued fire line construction and reinforcement by adding more layers of protection in problem areas,” Cal Fire reported Wednesday. “Fire line between Modjeska Peak and Santiago Peak is challenging due to steep, winding terrain. Oak leaf litter and duff are providing fuel that allows the fire to slowly smolder and spread until it finds enough air to emerge and cause spot fires. Tree and brush canopy in the area can limit effectiveness of water or retardant drops from incident aircraft requiring firefighters to get in from the ground.
“A mobile retardant base has been set up on the south end of the fire,” the Cal Fire statement continued. “Retardant will be used to reinforce the fire perimeter in areas that have been difficult to access including the area between the San Juan and Chiquito trails near Sugarloaf Mountain. Secondary lines are being reinforced in that area.
“More than 30,000 feet of fire hose has been pulled from the El Cariso Village area,” officials said. “Crews responded to a burning snag well within the fire area last night. Interior hot spots near the area have been been boxed in.”
The reopened Highway 74 has significantly increased traffic in the area, and fire officials warned motorists to be aware of crews working near roadways.
Officials also asked the public to stay off trails in fire-affected areas.
Evacuation orders were downgraded Wednesday to warnings for Lakeland Village, the Trilogy community and surrounding locations.
Several communities in Orange County and in the Cleveland National Forest in Riverside County are still under evacuation orders.
Evacuation centers are at Ortega High School in Lake Elsinore, 520 Chaney St., and the Foothill Ranch Library, 27002 Cabriole Way. Animals were being accepted at several facilities:
- Large animal shelters in Orange County
- Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa;
- Los Alamitos Race Course: 4961 Katella Ave. in Cypress;
- Nohl Ranch Saddle Club: 6352 E. Nohl Ranch Road in Anaheim;
- Animal services and shelters
- OC Animal Care, 1630 Victory Road in Tustin;
- Orange County residents who need animal assistance can call 949-470-3045;
- Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd. in Jurupa Valley;
- Riverside County residents who need animal assistance with large animal evacuations can call 951-358-7387.
Cal Fire reported road closures:
Hard coad closures
- Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road;
- El Toro Road and Live Oak Canyon Road;
- Ortega Highway at Nichols Institute;
Soft road closures
- Modjeska Grade Road and Santiago Canyon Road;
- Modjeska Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road; and
- Silverado Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road.
The Airport Fire began at about 1 p.m. Monday near Trabuco Canyon Road in the area of the remote-controlled airplane airport, Orange County Fire Authority officials said. A county public works crew using heavy equipment accidentally started the blaze.
Fire officials estimated the fire will reach full containment by Sept. 24.
Some 1,988 personnel were involved in the firefight Wednesday, including 73 crews, 80 engines, 25 dozers, 34 water tenders and 17 helicopters, according to Cal Fire.
The Airport Fire was one of three huge brush fires charring the Southland since last week. As of Wednesday, the Line Fire had burned over 39,000 acres and was 50% contained in San Bernardino County. The Bridge Fire in LA and San Bernardino counties had burned more than 54,000 acres with 37% containment.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has secured funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fight the state’s wildfires, including the three scorching Southern California.
Updated Sept. 18, 2024, 10:51 a.m.
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