Containment climbing for Airport Fire in Orange, Riverside counties

Containment lines slowly increased Friday around the massive Airport Fire burning in Orange and Riverside counties, with "favorable" weather conditions assisting in efforts but firefighters continuing to struggle with the difficult terrain.

As of Friday morning, the fire was estimated at 23,410 acres, while the containment figure grew from 5% on Thursday to 8% on Friday.

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"Experienced hotshot crews are actively constructing fire lines in rugged terrain, employing strategies that minimize risks to personnel," according to a morning assessment from incident commanders. "Hand crews are playing a vital role in making progress during favorable weather conditions Aerial support is also instrumental, with aircraft dropping fire retardant to create barriers and slow the fire's spread, ensuring the safety of both firefighters and the public."

Fire officials said crews were having "notable success in increasing containment" in areas such as Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon Road and Lakeland Village.

But the fire has caused significant damage, with an estimated 22 structures destroyed and 3 others damaged, fire officials said.

No additional injuries were reported. Earlier in the week, officials said 10 firefighters had suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze, many of them heat-related, while two civilians were also injured, one with an unknown medical condition and the other suffering burn injuries.

"Weather conditions are expected to remain favorable for firefighting efforts, with a thickening marine layer, mild temperatures, high humidity, and southwest winds," fire officials said. "However, there is a risk of smoke and fog forming in lower drainages in the afternoon, potentially impacting air quality and visibility."

The Airport Fire began about 1 p.m. Monday near Trabuco Canyon Road in the area of the remote-controlled airplane airport, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Sean Doran. Officials said the fire was sparked by a county public works crew using heavy equipment. The cause was deemed accidental.

By Tuesday morning, the fire had raced up the canyons and hillsides and crested into Riverside County, burning toward the El Cariso and Lake Elsinore areas, where evacuation warnings and orders were issued.

With weather conditions improving and firefighters making progress in the battle, some evacuation orders were reduced to voluntary warnings Thursday in both Orange and Riverside counties, although some orders remained in effect.

Evacuation orders remained in effect Friday in the area of Caspers Regional Park and Blue Jay campground along the Ortega Highway.

Residents can visit https://go.genasys.com/11hh53 to determine if their homes are impacted by evacuation orders or warnings.

Ortega Highway was closed east of Quarry to Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore. Closures also remained in effect at:

-- Plano Trabuco/Joshua Drive;

-- Santa Margarita Parkway/Antonio Parkway;

-- Plano Trabuco/Robinson Ranch;

-- Avenida Empressa/Santa Margarita Parkway;

-- Antonio Parkway/Alas de Paz;

-- Trabuco Canyon/Trabuco Creek;

-- Santiago Canyon Road; and

-- Live Oak Canyon Road.

An evacuation center that had been established at RSM Bell Tower Community Center, 22232 El Paseo in Rancho Santa Margarita, was closed Friday, and a new shelter was established at Saddleback Church, 1 Purpose Drive in Lake Forest. Pets were also being accepted at that location.

Large animals were being housed at Orange County Fairgrounds, Los Alamitos Race Course  and Nohl Ranch Saddle Club at 6352 E. Nohl Ranch Road in Anaheim.

In Riverside County, evacuation centers were open at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore and Santiago High School in Corona. Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter was accepting pets, while a large animal shelter was established at the Murrieta Equestrian Center.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended an air quality advisory until at least 11 p.m. Friday for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties due to smoke from three major wildfires burning in the region.

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