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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 41% containment of the Airport Fire, which as of Thursday morning has burned 23,519 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.
The fire has injured 15 people, according to Cal Fire. 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.
Fire managers said progress on containing the Airport Fire was “very successful” the last three days.
“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,” officials said in a statement.
“Night crews extinguished several hot spots in the Modjeska and Santiago Peak areas where brush and duff continue to hold heat,” Cal Fire reported. “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,” the Cal Fire statement continued. “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.’”
Fire officials said a temporary flight restriction is in effect over the fire zone 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,” officials said in a statement. “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.”
The reopened Highway 74 has significantly increased traffic in the area, and fire officials warned motorists Wednesday to be aware of crews working near roadways.
Officials also asked the public to stay off trails in fire-affected areas.
Crews were having “notable success in increasing containment” in Lake Elsinore, near Decker Canyon Road and in Lakeland Village.
Most evacuation orders and warnings were lifted in Orange County, with a larger number still in effect in Riverside County. The website go.genasys.com/11hh53 enables residents to determine if their homes are in areas subject to evacuation orders or warnings.
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;
- Silverado Canyon and Maple Springs; and
- Hot Springs Canyon Road north of the Ortega Highway.
Soft road closures
- Long Canyon Road and Ortega Highway; and
- North Main Divide Road and Ortega Highway.
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. The burned acreage Friday was the same as Tuesday’s total.
Some 2,007 personnel were involved in the firefight Thursday, including 73 crews, 85 engines, 17 dozers, 34 water tenders and nine helicopters, according to Cal Fire.
The Airport Fire was one of three huge brush fires charring the Southland since early September. As of Friday, the Line Fire had burned over 39,000 acres and was 53% contained in San Bernardino County. The Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties had burned more than 54,000 acres with 59% 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. 20, 2024, 11:38 a.m.
