California’s Airport Fire explodes in size, evacuations underway

California’s Airport Fire explodes in size, evacuations underway

Rishav Kothari

The Airport Fire, which broke out east of Irvine on Monday, September 9, 2024, has rapidly grown to more than 3 500 ha (8 500 acres) on Tuesday and to 19 028 ha (47 029 acres) by Wednesday — now reaching Riverside County. Authorities have issued evacuation orders and warnings for several communities as firefighting efforts continue amid severe heatwave conditions.

• The fire spread rapidly, reaching nearly 2 225 ha (5 500 acres) within the first eight hours, moving eastward toward Riverside County.
• As of Wednesday, 7 people have been injured — 2 civilians and 5 firefighters.
• The fire is currently threatening 10 500 structures.

The Airport Fire erupted in the hills of Orange County, Southern California, on Monday, rapidly growing to more than 2 023 ha (5 000 acres) within just a few hours. The fire began around 13:30 local time, roughly 24 km (15 miles) east of Irvine, near an area known for remote-controlled model airplanes. The fire, which remains uncontrolled, has prompted evacuation orders for several communities.

Parts of Trabuco Canyon, located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, were ordered to evacuate, and surrounding neighborhoods were issued evacuation warnings. The fire occurred during a severe heatwave in Southern California, with temperatures reaching over 38 °C (100 °F) in many areas.

According to Cal Fire, the Airport Fire grew even larger overnight, swelling to over 3 439 ha (8 500 acres). Orange County Fire Authority Deputy Chief TJ McGovern reported that the fire was believed to have been unintentionally started by a public works crew, although Cal Fire stated that the cause is still unclear and under investigation.

The fire spread rapidly, reaching nearly 2 225 ha (5 500 acres) within the first eight hours, moving eastward toward Riverside County. 

By Tuesday morning, it remained at 0 % containment. Authorities noted that containment represents the portion of the fire’s perimeter that firefighters believe will no longer spread, either due to natural barriers or firefighting efforts.

BREAKING NEWS: It’s not looking good for critical infrastructure atop Santiago Peak, where the #AirportFire appears to be encroaching on the invaluable antenna farm which sits at the highest elevation in #OrangeCounty, CA

Evacuation orders were first issued around 15:00 local time on Monday, for residents living along Meander Lane and in the Robinson Ranch community. O’Neill Regional Park’s campgrounds were also closed. Additionally, Cal Fire issued evacuation warnings for areas in Riverside County, including those east of the Orange County line, west of the 15 Freeway, south of Bedford Motor Way, and north of Ortega Highway.

Several schools were closed on Tuesday, due to the fire, including all schools in the Lake Elsinore Unified School District. The Corona Norco Unified School District also closed Wilson, Temescal Valley, and Todd elementary schools, while the Saddleback Valley Unified School District closed Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools.

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