Lois Larson
The Airport Fire in Orange County, California, started on the afternoon of Monday, September 9, 2024, and quickly spread across thousands of acres, threatening homes and infrastructure. The fire is believed to have been started by a crew working on fire prevention measures, using heavy machinery to move boulders. As the fire raged, thousands were forced to evacuate their homes, and the blaze also impacted infrastructure and transportation networks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | September 9, 2024 |
| Location | Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, California |
| Cause | Spark from heavy equipment used by a public work crew |
| Fire Spread | 23,526 acres burned, 20,780 structures threatened, 160 destroyed, 34 damaged |
| Injuries | 2 civilians, 20 firefighters |
| Evacuations | Mandatory evacuation orders in Robinson Ranch and Trabuco Highlands, Santa Ana foothills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ortega Highway, Riverside County |
| Air Quality | Rated as "hazardous" by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, produced a large pyrocumulus cloud |
| Concurrent Fires | Line Fire in San Bernardino County, Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County |
| Claims and Lawsuits | Claims filed for rebuilding costs and evacuation-related expenses, law firms sent preservation notices to the county |
| Containment | 100% contained as of October 6, 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
The fire was started by a crew working on fire prevention measures
On September 9, 2024, a fire broke out in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, California, which would come to be known as the Airport Fire. The fire was started by a crew working on fire prevention measures—specifically, they were moving boulders to prevent motorcyclists and offroad vehicles from entering the dry brush in the canyon near the Cleveland National Forest.
The Orange County Public Works crew was using heavy machinery and equipment in hot, dry weather, and a spark from their machinery ignited a brush fire. The fire spread quickly, fanned by strong winds, and was exacerbated by the dry conditions. By the evening of September 9, the fire had burned approximately 5,432 acres, and mandatory evacuation orders were put in place for various Southern California communities, particularly in Lake Elsinore and along Ortega Highway, where structures were damaged or destroyed.
The fire continued to grow, and by September 10, it had spread into Riverside County, threatening over 10,000 structures and prompting new evacuation orders for 45 rural zones in the eastern Santa Ana foothills near Lake Elsinore and Temescal Valley. The smoke from the fire created an unhealthy haze that reached as far as Las Vegas, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory in Southern California, rating the air quality as "hazardous".
The Airport Fire burned concurrently with the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County, straining available firefighting resources. Firefighters worked to increase containment of the Airport Fire, using fire engines, aircraft, and hand crews to combat the blaze and create fire lines. By October 6, 2024, the fire was 100% contained, having burned a total of 23,526 acres and destroyed 160 structures. The total cost of fighting the fire was expected to reach $95 million, and numerous families reported losing their homes and livelihoods.
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It burned concurrently with the Line Fire and Bridge Fire
The Airport Fire burned concurrently with two other major wildfires in Southern California: the Line Fire and the Bridge Fire. The three fires burned through a combined total of over 100,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes, and injured at least 13 people, including several firefighters. The concurrent occurrence of these fires strained available resources, requiring the coordination of multiple agencies across four counties.
The Airport Fire started on September 9, 2024, in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, and spread to Riverside County. It burned 23,526 acres in the Santa Ana Mountains, destroying 160 structures and causing 21 non-fatal injuries. The fire was accidentally ignited by Orange County Public Works employees conducting fire prevention measures.
The Line Fire, which began on September 5, 2024, was the oldest of the three wildfires. It burned in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, destroying at least one home in Running Springs. The fire was started intentionally, and Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, from Norco, was charged with nine felony counts, including arson.
The Bridge Fire, which started on September 8, 2024, was located in the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. It was the northernmost of the three fires and the most recent at the time. The Bridge Fire grew rapidly, fueled by gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low humidity, and became the state's largest wildfire at the time, destroying at least 33 homes. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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Smoke turned the sky red-orange
The Airport Fire in Orange County, California, turned the sky red-orange due to the scattering of light by smoke particles. This phenomenon is a result of Mie scattering, where smoke particles, which are larger than gas molecules, scatter the long wavelengths of red light more efficiently than the shorter wavelengths of blue light. The fire produced a large pyrocumulus cloud, which reduced the air quality and caused the sky to appear in shades of orange, red, or even brown.
The Airport Fire started on September 9, 2024, near RC Airport in Orange County, California. It was caused by a spark from heavy equipment used by a public work crew, which placed a load of heavy boulders and then began to smoke and spark. The fire quickly spread, threatening nearby homes and infrastructure. By the evening of the first day, the fire had burned half an acre, and by 10:00 p.m., it had consumed approximately 5,432 acres.
The fire continued to grow, and by September 10, it had expanded to 19,028 acres, spreading into Riverside County. This prompted mandatory evacuations in several areas, including Robinson Ranch and Trabuco Highlands. The fire ultimately destroyed 160 structures, including 82 homes, and damaged 34 others. It also resulted in two civilian injuries and 20 firefighter injuries, with no reported fatalities.
The Airport Fire burned concurrently with the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County, creating a combined cloud over the Greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire regions of Southern California. The smoke and haze from these fires affected nearby areas, including Victorville, Big Bear, and Apple Valley, turning the sky into a dark orange or red-orange hue.
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20,780 structures were threatened, 160 destroyed, and 34 damaged
The Airport Fire in Orange County, California, destroyed 160 structures and damaged 34. The fire threatened 20,780 structures in total, and burned 23,526 acres before it was 100% contained. The blaze started on the afternoon of Monday, September 9, 2024, near RC Airport. It was caused by a spark from a public works crew 's loader, which had placed a load of heavy boulders and then began to smoke. The fire quickly spread to nearby homes and infrastructure, and mandatory evacuations were ordered for the Robinson Ranch and Trabuco Highlands neighbourhoods.
The fire burned concurrently with the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County, creating a combined cloud over the Greater Los Angeles and Inland Empire regions of Southern California. The smoke and haze were so thick that flights at Harry Reid International Airport were delayed. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory in Southern California, rating the air quality as "hazardous".
The fire produced a large pyrocumulus cloud, which worsened the air quality in Orange and Riverside counties. By September 10, the blaze had grown from 1,900 acres to 19,028 acres and spread into Riverside County, threatening over 10,000 structures and prompting new evacuation orders for 45 rural zones in the eastern Santa Ana foothills near Lake Elsinore and Temescal Valley. The fire also impacted infrastructure, with roads closed and power lines and equipment damaged. On September 19, eight firefighters were injured in a rollover crash on State Route 241 in Irvine while returning from battling the blaze.
The impact of the fire was far-reaching, with residents displaced, homes destroyed, and the environment suffering. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and claims are being filed by residents for rebuilding costs and evacuation-related expenses.
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$19.99
Two law firms sent claim notices to the county
The Airport Fire in Orange County, California, started in the afternoon of Monday, September 9, 2024, and is believed to have been caused by a crew working on fire prevention measures. The fire was reported at 1:27 p.m. and quickly spread, fanned by dry, hot weather.
The fire began near RC Airport and was caused by a spark from a public work crew's loader, which had placed a load of heavy boulders and then started to smoke and spark. The fire threatened nearby homes and infrastructure, and crews worked to contain it. By 10:00 p.m., the fire had burned approximately 5,432 acres, and mandatory evacuation orders were enforced in the Robinson Ranch and Trabuco Highlands neighbourhoods.
The fire continued to spread, and by September 10, it had grown to 19,028 acres, spreading into Riverside County and threatening over 10,000 structures. New evacuation orders were put in place, and the fire produced a large pyrocumulus cloud, worsening the air quality in the area. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory, rating the air quality as "hazardous".
The fire resulted in two civilian injuries, 20 firefighter injuries, and no fatalities. 160 structures were destroyed, including 82 homes, and 34 structures were damaged. The fire also burned through Holy Jim Canyon, and California received a grant from FEMA to help combat it. The mandatory evacuations were eventually lifted, and infrastructure repairs began.
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Frequently asked questions
The Airport Fire in Orange County, California, was likely started by a crew working on fire prevention measures. The fire began on September 9, 2024, and was caused by a spark from heavy equipment being used by a public works crew.
The Airport Fire burned over 23,000 acres and destroyed 160 structures, including 82 homes. It also damaged another 34 structures. The fire threatened 20,780 structures and there were 2 civilian injuries and 20 firefighter injuries reported.
Yes, there were mandatory evacuation orders in place for several areas, including Robinson Ranch and Trabuco Highlands. Voluntary evacuation warnings were also issued for some Trabuco Canyon neighborhoods.
There were no fatalities reported. However, there were 2 civilian injuries and 20 firefighter injuries. Eight firefighters were injured in a rollover crash while returning from a 12-hour shift working on the fire.
The fire produced a large pyrocumulus cloud, affecting the air quality in Orange and Riverside counties. It also burned through Holy Jim Canyon and impacted infrastructure, with roads closed and power lines and equipment damaged.
