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.
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
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.
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
Additional reporting by Gil Leyvas aboard Sky5.
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