On Monday, September 9, 2024, at approximately 1:16 p.m., a brush fire erupted in the 32200 block of Trabuco Creek Road in Orange County, rapidly burning through 1,900 acres of land. Dubbed the “Airport Fire,” the blaze began near the remote-controlled airplane airport, according to Capt. Sean Doran of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
Evacuation warnings were immediately issued for residents in several areas, including Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop, and Cook’s Corner. The Robinson Ranch community was placed under a mandatory evacuation order. A care and reception shelter for evacuees was set up at Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tour Regional Community Center, with large animals being transported to the Orange County Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa.
Although one individual suffered smoke inhalation, further details were unavailable. As of 4 p.m., the fire was moving uphill, away from residential homes. Despite the elevated fire danger and heat wave conditions, firefighters were making progress using new helicopters capable of dropping 1,000 gallons of water per trip. There is still no information on the cause of the fire.