Mandatory evacuation orders in place for fire burning in Trabuco Canyon
A fire that broke out in Trabuco Canyon near a field for remote-controlled airplanes has exploded in size and prompted some mandatory evacuation orders Monday afternoon.
The Airport Fire has burned approximately 1,900 acres in Trabuco Canyon, a mountain community north of Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County.
The Orange County Fire Authority responded to the fire around 1:30 p.m. and found a 7-acre blaze burning in dry brush. Crews were attacking the flames from the ground and air, utilizing “handcrews, dozers, helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft,” officials said.
A fixed-wing aircraft drops flame retardant on a fire burning in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. A massive plume of smoke is visible from Sky5 as it flies over the Airport Fire, which broke out in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. Video from Sky5 shows massive plumes of smoke and large flames from the Airport Fire burning in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. Video from Sky5 shows massive plumes of smoke and large flames from the Airport Fire burning in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. Sky5 view of the wildfire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, California on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) Sky5 view of the wildfire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, California on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA)
Since then, the fire has grown steadily, with fire officials announcing the latest acreage around 4:45 p.m.
Massive plumes of smoke could be seen throughout the area, and video from Sky5 showed large flames burning up a steep hillside.
Residents who live near the blaze were being told by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to monitor for evacuation orders and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Mandatory Evacuation Orders
Homes on Meander Lane in Trabuco Canyon
Robinson Ranch community
Voluntary Evacuation Warnings
Rose Canyon Road
Trabuco Creek Road
Trabuco Canyon Road
Trabuco Oaks Drive
Joplin Loop
Cook’s Corner
The latest evacuation alerts can be found here.
Officials say a “long-term care and reception shelter” has been set up at the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tour Regional Community Center located at 22232 El Paseo. A large animal shelter has been established at the Orange County Fairgrounds at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.
Road Closures
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced road closures at the following intersections:
Plano Trabuco Drive and Joshua Drive
Plano Trabuco Drive and Robinson Ranch Road
Antonio Parkway and Alas de Paz
Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road
Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway
Avenida Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway
In a press conference held Monday evening, officials said the cause of the fire, which was classified as unintentional, was started when employees with Orange County Public Works were moving boulders to restrict access to vegetation off Trabuco Creek Road.
Authorities added that the blaze, which remains at 1,900 acres, is moving away from the evacuated community of Robinson Ranch.
Two firefighters who suffered heat-related injuries while battling the blaze were taken to the hospital where they are listed in stable condition. A resident was also taken to the hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.
Additional reporting by Gil Leyvas aboard Sky5.
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