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CBS LA
Airport Fire was likely caused by public works crews in Orange County, officials say
By Dean FioresiMatthew Rodriguez,
1 days ago
Evacuation orders remain in place as Airport Fire continues to burn in Trabuco Canyon 06:24
Orange County firefighters rushed to Trabuco Canyon to douse flames burning vegetation on the hillside on Monday. The flames quickly grew to engulf more than 5,400 acres and forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
The Orange County Fire Authority dubbed it the Airport Fire after it started near a remote-controlled airplane airport on Trabuco Creek Road.
Evacuations and road closures
The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a voluntary evacuation warning for people living near:
Rose Canyon Road
Trabuco Canyon Road
Trabuco Creek Canyon Road
Trabuco Oaks Drive
Joplin Loop
Cook's Corner
The department issued an evacuation order for homes on Meander Lane, including:
Robinson Ranch HOA
Trabuco Highlands HOA
Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
Later Monday, Riverside County Fire Department also issued evacuation warnings for people living on the other side of the Santa Ana Mountains, including:
RVC-1153
RVC-1265
RVC-1267
RVC-1269
RVC-1395
RVC-1396
RVC-1397
RVC-1398
RVC-1399
RVC-1400
RVC-1401
RVC-1402
RVC-1403
RVC-1405
RVC-1521
RVC-1622
RVC-1623
RVC-1624
RVC-1625
RVC-1626
RVC-1627
RVC-1724
RVC-1725
North of Main Divide Road, south of Bedford Motor Way, west of I-15 and east of the Orange County line
North of Ortega Highway, south of Bedford Motor Way, west of I-15 and east of the Orange County line
Firefighters asked people to avoid the area to allow firefighters to respond effectively. Deputies closed the following roads:
Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
Antonio and Alas de Paz
Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
Santa Margarita and Antonio
Avenida Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway
Authorities established a long-term car and reception shelter at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688. A large animal shelter has been established at 88 Fair Drive in the City of Costa Mesa.
For those in Riverside County, an evacuation center is available at Santiago High School, located at 1395 E. Foothill Parkway in Corona. Animals can also be brought to that location.
Rapidly moving flames
The Airport Fire exploded in size, growing from 7 acres to more than 5,400 acres within eight hours, according to Cal Fire. However, the OCFA said the fire started to burn uphill and away from homes.
Orange County deployed around 1,000 personnel, including hand crews, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, to extinguish the fire before it reached homes.
Two OFCA firefighters were treated for heat-related injury before being taken to a local hospital. One civilian was also hospitalized after suffering from smoke inhalation. All are expected to be okay, according to firefighters.
During a press conference Monday evening, Cleveland National Forest District Ranger Darrell Vance said that the fire was burning towards the footprint of the Holy Fire in 2018, which torched more than 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 20 structures.
"Obviously, we don't want to make predictions on what we think it's going to do, but we have high hopes that that's gonna assist us with the prior burn scar," Vance said.
While not fully confirmed, officials say that they believe the blaze was unintentionally started by public works crews that were using heavy equipment in the area Monday afternoon.
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