A brush fire in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, has consumed over 8,500 acres, prompting evacuation orders for more than 1,400 homes. The Airport Fire, which ignited Monday afternoon, spread rapidly due to hazardous weather, including high temperatures and changing winds. More than 1,000 firefighters are currently battling the blaze, which caused two firefighters to suffer heat-related injuries and sent one civilian to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
As of Tuesday morning, no significant property damage has been reported. Authorities successfully airlifted a family with a young child and a resident with his cats to safety.
Evacuation orders are in place for residents of Robinson Ranch, Trabuco Highlands, the Trabuco Highland apartment complex, and Meander Lane, with law enforcement going door-to-door to enforce these evacuations. Additional voluntary evacuation advisories have been issued for areas including Rose Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road. There are also evacuation warnings for Caspers Regional Park and Blue Jay Campground along the Ortega Highway.
School closures have affected Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools, which are part of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, while shelters for displaced residents and animals have been established in Rancho Santa Margarita and Costa Mesa.
The fire was sparked unintentionally by public works crews attempting to create barriers using heavy equipment to restrict access to dry vegetation. As they moved large boulders, a spark ignited a fire that quickly spread. Firefighters report challenging conditions due to ongoing extreme heat and unpredictable winds, which are increasing the risk of further blazes across Southern California.