Weather aids fight against Airport Fire in OC, Riverside County

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped firefighters achieve 31% containment of the Airport Fire, which as of Monday morning has burned 23,519 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.

The fire has injured 14 people, mainly to firefighters who suffered minor heat-related injuries, according to Cal Fire on Monday morning. Residential, commercial and other structures destroyed totaled 160, and another 34 were damaged.

“Firefighters in the Trabuco Canyon area have been actively constructing direct fire lines,” Cal Fire reported in a statement Monday. “Helicopter operations have effectively supported firefighting efforts, keeping the fire behavior moderated throughout the warmer time of the day.

“This morning’s marine layer dissipated, allowing sunlight through and dropping humidity levels,” the statement said. “Despite this brief warm-up, an approaching cold front is expected to bring some light showers and cooler temperatures. Overall, cooler weather and increased humidity are expected to decrease fire activity, although the specific impact will depend on the amount of moisture the fire receives.

“Night shift will continue constructing direct lines in critical areas such as Harding Truck Trail, Trabuco Canyon, and Cold Springs Canyon to build towards increasing containment,” officials said. “Firefighters will actively patrol the fire perimeter to continuously assess conditions and respond to any potential flare-ups.”

Officials also asked the public to stay off trails in fire-affected areas.

Several neighborhoods in southwestern Riverside County were subject to evacuation orders and several more were under evacuation warnings. Residents can go to go.genasys.com/11hh53 to check if their homes are affected by evacuations.

An evacuation center is at Ortega High School in Lake Elsinore at 520 Chaney St. Animals were being accepted at the Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter, 6851 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside County residents who need assistance evacuating large animals 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

• Plano Trabuco Road at Joshua Drive;
• Plano Trabuco Road at Robinson Ranch Road;
• 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 2,201 personnel were involved in the firefight, including 47 crews, 252 engines, 31 dozers, 15 water tenders and eight helicopters.

The Airport Fire was one of three huge brush fires charring the Southland since last week. As of Monday, the Line Fire had burned 39,026 acres and was 42% contained in San Bernardino County. The Bridge Fire in LA and San Bernardino counties had burned 54,690 acres with 11% containment.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District lengthened an air quality warning until at least 11 p.m. Monday for most of the region because of smoke from the three major wildfires.

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. 16, 2024, 12:54 p.m.