California Wildfire Blamed On Crews Doing Fire Prevention Work

A fast-moving brush fire has grown to more than 8,500 acres in Orange County , California. As of Monday (September 9) night, the Airport Fire was 0% contained.

The Airport Fire started around 1:30 p.m. on Monday near a field used for remote-controlled airplanes in Trabuco Canyon. Officials said the fire was started accidentally by crews doing fire prevention work in the area.

Orange County Fire Authority Deputy Chief TJ McGovern said that a piece of heavy machinery was moving a boulder when it created a spark that started the fire.

“They were moving boulders to block access to the vegetation ... to keep people out because of the weather we have right now, and the fuels are getting to that point,” McGovern said via the Los Angeles Times .

Two firefighters were hospitalized with heat-related injuries. A civilian was also taken to the hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Officials said that over 1,000 firefighters are working to get the blaze under control using water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.