Evacuation Orders Issued Due to Airport Fire in Orange County

On Monday, Orange County firefighters hurried to Trabuco Canyon to combat a blaze that was rapidly consuming the hillside vegetation. The fire quickly expanded, covering nearly 2,000 acres and prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. The Orange County Fire Authority named it the Airport Fire, as it originated near a remote-controlled airplane airport on Trabuco Creek Road.

**Evacuations and Road Closures Update**

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has issued a voluntary evacuation warning for residents near the following areas:

- Rose Canyon Road

- Trabuco Canyon Road

- Trabuco Creek Canyon Road

- Trabuco Oaks Drive

- Joplin Loop

- Cook's Corner

An evacuation order has been issued for homes on Meander Lane, including:

- Robinson Ranch HOA

- Trabuco Highlands HOA

- Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex

Additionally, the Riverside County Fire Department has issued evacuation warnings for residents on the opposite side of the Santa Ana Mountains, specifically in the areas designated as:

- RVC-1153

- RVC-1521

- RVC-1622

These areas are located north of Main Divide Road, south of Bedford Motor Way, west of I-15, and east of the Orange County line. Firefighters request that people avoid these regions to allow for effective emergency response.

Road closures include:

- 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

A long-term car and reception shelter has been set up at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, located at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. 

A large animal shelter is available at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

For Riverside County residents, an evacuation center is open at Santiago High School, 1395 E. Foothill Parkway, Corona. Animals are also welcome at this location.

The Airport Fire surged rapidly

expanding from 7 acres to over 1,900 acres in just a few hours, as reported by Cal Fire. However, the OCFA noted that the fire began to move uphill and away from residential areas.

Orange County mobilized approximately 1,000 personnel, including hand crews, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, to prevent the fire from reaching residential areas. Two OFCA firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries before being transported to a local hospital. A civilian was also hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. According to firefighters, all are expected to recover. 

READ MORE :: A fire at an airport in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, rapidly expands to 1,900 acres, prompting evacuation orders in Rancho Santa Margarita.

During a Monday evening press conference, Cleveland National Forest District Ranger Darrell Vance noted that the fire was advancing toward the footprint of the 2018 Holy Fire, which burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 20 structures. "We don't want to speculate on its behavior, but we are hopeful that the previous burn scar will aid our efforts," Vance said.

While not yet confirmed, officials believe the blaze was unintentionally sparked by public works crews using heavy equipment in the area Monday afternoon. This fire is one of three large wildfires currently burning in Southern California, alongside the Line Fire, which has led to thousands of evacuations in San Bernardino County, and the rapidly growing Bridge Fire in the Angeles National Forest.