A brush fire in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County has burned over 9,000 acres and prompted evacuation orders for several communities. The Airport Fire ignited on Monday afternoon as public works crews attempted to clear access to areas with dangerously dry brush. The fire quickly spread, fueled by extreme heat and shifting winds, leading to the evacuation of more than 1,400 homes and prompting a response from over 1,000 firefighters.
As of Tuesday, the blaze had reached 9,333 acres and continued to threaten the area, adding urgency to the evacuation orders. While two firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries and a civilian was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, there has been no significant property damage reported.
Rescue efforts included airlifting a family with a three-year-old child and a man and his cats to safety. Evacuation orders are currently in effect for residents of Robinson Ranch, Trabuco Highlands, and surrounding areas, with deputies going door-to-door to enforce the orders.
Voluntary evacuations have been recommended for additional neighborhoods, and more evacuation warnings have been issued for nearby parks and campgrounds. Local school districts announced closures for Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools as a precaution.
Emergency shelters have been set up, including a long-term care site in Rancho Santa Margarita and a temporary evacuation site in Lake Forest. A shelter for large animals has also been established at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
The fire was caused unintentionally by workers using heavy equipment to create barriers, with sparks from the machinery igniting the dry vegetation. Efforts to suppress the fire have been hampered by challenging weather conditions, including thunderstorms and shifting winds that could lead to new ignitions across Southern California.