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 nearly 5,500 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.
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.
5,500-acre ‘Airport Fire’ in Orange County seen in photographs
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
Voluntary Evacuation Warnings
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Rose Canyon Road
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Trabuco Creek Road
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Trabuco Canyon Road
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Trabuco Oaks Drive
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Joplin Loop
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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.
According to officials with the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Tuesday classes have been cancelled for students at Robinson and Trabuco Elementary schools.
In the Corona Norco Unified School District, officials said Wilson, Temescal and Todd elementary schools will also be closed for students and staff on Tuesday.
Road Closures
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced road closures at the following intersections:
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Plano Trabuco Drive and Joshua Drive
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Plano Trabuco Drive and Robinson Ranch Road
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Antonio Parkway and Alas de Paz
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Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road
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Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway
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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 has spread to 5,432 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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