This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
A local state of emergency was declared by the O.C. Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, a big step that opens up the possibility of both state and federal help.
“This emergency declaration is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and getting the resources and help the community needs,” said Don Wagner, the Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “The scale of this fire and its impact on our region call for a unified and immediate response.”
On Monday at about 1:30 p.m., an O.C. public works employee using heavy equipment to move boulders, inadvertently started the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon. It’s grown to more than 8,500 acres in less than 24 hours, prompting evacuations and requiring a family to be airlifted to safety from a nearby trail.
“After placing a load of boulders, the operators began seeing smoke coming from the area of the loaders basket,” Orange County Fire Authority deputy chief TJ McGovern said during a news briefing Monday night. “The operator and the supervisor used multiple fire extinguishers and the loaders to attempt to extinguish the fire while 911 was being called.”
Shortly thereafter, there was a mad rush to try and contain the fire, which thrived amongst high temperatures, dry brush and steep gradients. The fire was threatening homes and infrastructure a little more than an hour after it began.
The Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon was first reported around 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
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On the nearby Joplin Trail, Sheriff’s helicopters rescued a husband and wife who were hiking with their three year old, airlifting them to the nearby RC Airplane Airport. A resident of Trabuco Canyon was also rescued along with his cat, according to Captain Steve Concialdi from the OCFA.
As of Tuesday morning, no homes have been destroyed, and crews protected radio infrastructure using back burns.
“When it gets hot and dry and the fuel moisture is extremely low in the vegetation, these fires can happen. And unfortunately it did,” said Concialdi. “They were trying to prevent other fires by putting those boulders so that people wouldn’t go back in there with off road vehicles, motorcycles, so forth.”
In California, humans — intentional or accidental — are responsible for 95% of wildfire fires. As our colleagues at CalMatters reported earlier this year: Last year alone, people caused more than 7,000 wildfires in California; nationally, it was more than 50,000.
The basics
- Acreage: 9,300 acres as of Tuesday afternoon
- Containment: 0%
- Structures destroyed: None reported
- Deaths: None
- Injuries: 3 (heat related)
- Cause: Spark from heavy equipment
Evacuation map and orders
Evacuation orders have been issued for the following areas:
- Robinson Ranch
- Trabuco Highlands
- Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
- Areas along Ortega Highway, including Caspers Park.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for communities in both Orange and Riverside counties. See a complete list here.
Get ready for fire season. Here’s how to sign up for emergency alerts in Southern California
Evacuation shelters
For people:
- (Long term) Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita.
- (Temporary) Lake Forest Sports Complex 28000 Vista Terrace, Lake Forest.
For pets:
- Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita. Run by Mission Viejo Animal Services. Call (949) 470-3045 (press two) for help.
- O.C. Animal Care at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin.
For large animals:
- 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.
Where the fire started
The view from Santiago Peak shortly before 6 p.m. Monday.
ALERT California
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UC San Diego
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A view of the Airport Fire from Laguna Niguel.
Courtesy Edward Dougherty
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The Airport Fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. in Trabuco Canyon, along Trabuco Creek Road in Orange County, inadvertently started by an O.C. Public Works crew.
Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
Editor Megan Garvey contributed to this report.
