Incident Update Airport Fire

Date:
09/23/2024
Time:
8:21 PM

Public Information Email: 2024.airport@firenet.gov

Primary Media Line: 949-573-5527

Incident Facts

Name
Airport Fire
Start Date/Time
2024-09-09
Incident Status
Active
Location
Trabuco Canyon and Rose Canyon, Trabuco Canyon
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Equipment
Counties
Orange, Riverside
Administration Unit
Riverside County Fire Department
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
23,526
Containment
89%
Structures Threatened
20,780
Structures Destroyed
160
Structures Damaged
34
Civilian Injuries
2
Firefighter Injuries
20
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Patrol, mop-up, pulling out hose and suppression repair continued today on the perimeter of the fire. More gains were made by the hard-working crews on the remaining sections. Beginning tomorrow, crews will be working 12 hour day shifts. Although suppression repair is becoming the primary work focus moving forward, crews will keep watch on the fire lines and continue using infrared drone flights to investigate any areas of heat that may need to be addressed.
Burned Area Emergency Response (BEAR) teams have also arrived. These specialists evaluate and address the landscape threats created by fires, such as loss of vegetation, soil erosion, water runoff and future flooding. They prescribe emergency stabilization treatments to minimize these impacts. The teams often begin these processes before a wildfire has been fully contained.
Tomorrow evening at 1700, the fire will also transition to a Type 3 Incident Management team. They have arrived on scene and are now shadowing the current type 1 team, getting familiar with the areas and challenges they will be facing. The incident command post will also be shifting to Lake Elsinore.
Warm temperatures were present throughout the day (80-90 degrees) and are expected again tomorrow. Later in the week, temperatures are expected to begin a gradual cooling trend, beginning on Friday and continuing throughout the weekend.
A reminder that beginning tomorrow, Southern California Edison will be re-installing power poles that were damaged during the fire via helicopter along Ortega Highway. Although they are planning to conduct these operations during minimal traffic periods, there will be instances when significant delays occur.

Governor Gavin Newsom has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppressing the Airport Fire.

3D Map

Airport Fire Daily Map Products

Airport Fire Photos and Videos

Road Closures

Highway 74 is now open. There is still infrastructure repair occurring through Highway 74 please use caution and slow to a safe speed. Commuters should expect intermittent lengthy delays due to ongoing repair of infrastructure along the highway. Be aware that several roads off of Ortega Highway in or near the fire area in both Riverside and Orange Counties remain closed.

Hard Road Closures

  • Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road
  • Silverado Canyon and Maple Springs
  • North Main Road and Ortega Highway
  • Long Canyon Road and Ortega
    Highway

Forest Closure

The Cleveland NF has temporary closure of the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. This closure prohibits going into or being upon any National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundaries of the Trabuco Ranger District. The closure will be in effect from September 18, 2024 until September 17, 2025, to provide for public health and safety concerns related to the Airport Fire. To view the Forest Orders and Maps, visit our website at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
9
Water Tenders
20
Helicopters
3
Dozers
11
Hand Crews
9
Total Personnel
584

Cooperating Agencies

Name Phone Address URL
CAL FIRE, US Forest Service, Orange County Sheriff Department, California Highway Patrol, CAL OES, Orange County Public Works, Riverside County Sheriff Department, Southern California Edison.