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Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon

09/09/2024

This community update is for general reference and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on developing information by following official agencies and registering for emergency updates from AlertOC.

A brush fire broke out on Monday, September 9th, in the Trabuco Canyon area. According to OCFA, the brush fire began near the RC airplane airport at about 1:30 PM. The County of Orange activated its Emergency Operations Center at 2:30 PM.

Stay updated on developing information by following the below official agencies and registering for emergency updates from AlertOC. The Public Information Hotline is available at 714-628-7085.

General Updates

Note: The information below is aggregated based on official communications from OCFA, OCSD, and the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. Please follow these official agencies for the most recent updates.

Friday, September 13

11:00 AM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: The areas of Caspers Wilderness Park and Blue Jay campground on Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway)
  • Voluntary Evacuations:  Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Eastern Coto De Caza, Plano Trabuco Shopping Center, Church, Hemingway Court, Walden HOA, Trabuco Canyon, Rose Canyon, Holy Jim Canyon, Modjeska Canyon, Silverado Canyon, Ortega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & Campgrounds, Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
  • Community Care:
    • Claims for Money/Damages: Click here for the County form.
    • Care & Reception Shelter: The long-term care and reception shelter at the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower Regional Community Center will close at noon today. A new long-term care and reception shelter has been established at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.
    • United States Postal Service Mail Information: Click here for information on currently closed locations. If you are in an evacuation area and your Postal Service location is open, visit the location with a government issued photo id to retrieve mail.
    • Medical Prescriptions for Evacuees: Any evacuees needing prescription medications and who are unable to fill them via their health care provider or pharmacy should call the OC Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. Hotline staff will ask for callers to provide their name and telephone number. County personnel will screen and process requests and will respond to callers at the telephone number provided.
    • Large Animal Shelters: 
      • OC Fair and Events Center at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626 has a number of stalls still available. Owners should call 714-708-1588 prior to arrival and enter Gate 9 off Arlington.
      • The Los Alamitos Race Course at 4961 Katella Ave. Cypress, 90720 has available space. The public can call 714-820-2830 and enter the Stable Gate.
      • Nohl Ranch Saddle Club at 6352 E. Nohl Ranch, Anaheim, 92807 has limited stalls available in addition to paddocks and round pens. The public can call 714-308-1093.
      • Serrano Creek Stable in Lake Forest is currently full.
    • Small Animal Shelters:
      • Mission Viejo Animal Services is at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center to assist with sheltering pets and help evacuated residents reunite with their pets. If you need assistance with your pet, please call 949-470-3045 and press 2.
      • OC Animal Care is also able to shelter other pets. OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, 92782. Please bring photo identification, veterinary or vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animal.

Wednesday, September 11

10:30 AM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: Ortega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & Campgrounds, Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex, the areas of Caspers Wilderness Park and Blue Jay campground on Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway)
  • Voluntary Evacuations:  Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Eastern Coto De Caza, Plano Trabuco Shopping Center, Church, Hemingway Court, Walden HOA, Trabuco Canyon, Rose Canyon, Holy Jim Canyon, Modjeska Canyon, Silverado Canyon
  • Road Closures:
    • Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
    • Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
    • Antonio and Alas de Paz
    • Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
    • Santa Margarita and Antonio
    • Santiago Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road
    • Ortega Highway is closed east of Quarry (Nichols Institute) to Grand Avenue in
      Lake Elsinore
  • Community Care:
    • United States Postal Service Mail Information: Click here for information on currently closed locations. If you are in an evacuation area and your Postal Service location is open, visit the location with a government issued photo id to retrieve mail.
    • Medical Prescriptions for Evacuees: Any evacuees needing prescription medications and who are unable to fill them via their health care provider or pharmacy should call the OC Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. Hotline staff will ask for callers to provide their name and telephone number. County personnel will screen and process requests and will respond to callers at the telephone number provided.
    • Care and Reception Center - Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688. This shelter is open 24 hours.
    • Large Animal Shelters: 
      • OC Fair and Events Center at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626 has a number of stalls still available. Owners should call 714-708-1588 prior to arrival and enter Gate 9 off Arlington.
      • The Los Alamitos Race Course at 4961 Katella Ave. Cypress, 90720 has available space. The public can call 714-820-2830 and enter the Stable Gate.
      • Nohl Ranch Saddle Club at 6352 E. Nohl Ranch, Anaheim, 92807 has limited stalls available in addition to paddocks and round pens. The public can call 714-308-1093.
      • Serrano Creek Stable in Lake Forest is currently full.
    • Small Animal Shelters:
      • Mission Viejo Animal Services is at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center to assist with sheltering pets and help evacuated residents reunite with their pets. If you need assistance with your pet, please call 949-470-3045 and press 2.
      • OC Animal Care is also able to shelter other pets. OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, 92782. Please bring photo identification, veterinary or vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animal.

Tuesday, September 10

4:30 PM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: Ortega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & Campgrounds, Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex, and the areas of Caspers Wilderness Park and Blue Jay campground on Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway)
  • Voluntary Evacuations: Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Eastern Coto De Caza, Trabuco Canyon, Rose Canyon, Holy Jim Canyon, Modjeska Canyon
  • Road Closures:
    • Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
    • Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
    • Antonio and Alas de Paz
    • Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
    • Santa Margarita and Antonio
    • Santiago Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road
    • Ortega Highway is closed east of Quarry (Nichols Institute) to Grand Avenue in
      Lake Elsinore
  • Community Care:
    • Care and Reception Center - Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688. This shelter is open 24 hours.
    • Large Animal Shelters: 
      • OC Fair and Events Center at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626 has a number of stalls still available. Owners should call 714-708-1588 prior to arrival and enter Gate 9 off Arlington.
      • The Los Alamitos Race Course at 4961 Katella Ave. Cypress, 90720 has available space. The public can call 714-820-2830 and enter the Stable Gate.
      • Nohl Ranch Saddle Club at 6352 E. Nohl Ranch, Anaheim, 92807 has limited stalls available in addition to paddocks and round pens. The public can call 714-308-1093.
      • Serrano Creek Stable in Lake Forest is currently full.
    • Small Animal Shelters:
      • Mission Viejo Animal Services is at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center to assist with sheltering pets and help evacuated residents reunite with their pets. If you need assistance with your pet, please call 949-470-3045 and press 2.
      • OC Animal Care is also able to shelter other pets. OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, 92782. Please bring photo identification, veterinary or vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animal.

12:30 PM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: Ortega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & Campgrounds, Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
  • Voluntary Evacuations: Coto de Caza (specific areas, including the east side of Coto de Caza), Silverado Canyon, Modjeska Canyon, Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop, Cook's Corner, Dove Canyon, El Cariso & Blue Jay Campground. Additional voluntary evacuation zones are in place in Riverside County.
  • Road Closures:
    • Highway 74 between Grand Avenue and Nichols (open to residents only, evacuation warning in effect)
    • Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
    • Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
    • Antonio and Alas de Paz
    • Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
    • Santa Margarita and Antonio
    • Santiago Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road
  • Estimated Size: 9,333 acres. 6 type 1 strike teams (30 engines), 2 type 3 strike teams (10 engines), and 2 dozer strike teams (4 dozers) have been requested to the areas of El Cariso and Lake Elsinore by incident command. 1 additional very large air tanker (VLAT) and 1 additional large air tanker (LAT) requested by air attack. Fire perimeter lines span remote Robinson ranch, Los Pinos Peak, Santiago Peak, and remote Trabuco Canyon.

  • A long-term care and reception shelter has been established at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688. This shelter will remain open overnight.

  • A large animal shelter has been established at the Orange County Fair Grounds at 88 Fair Drive in the city of Costa Mesa.

  • Mission Viejo Animal Services has moved to the Bell Tower Regional Community Center to assist sheltering pets and help evacuated residents reunite with their pets. If you need assistance with your pet, please call 949-470-3045 and press 2.

  • OC Animal Care is also able to shelter other pets. OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road in the city of Tustin. Please bring photo identification, veterinary or vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animal.

9:00 AM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
  • Voluntary Evacuations: Trabuco, Rose, Holy Jim Canyon, Plano Trabuco Shopping Center, Church, Hemingway Court, Walden HOA, Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Ortega Highway, San Juan Springs, Caspers Park, Quest Diagnostics, Lazy W & Campgrounds, El Cariso & Blue Jay Campground. Additional voluntary evacuation zones are in place in Riverside County.
  • Estimated size:8,510, 0% containment (4 large air tankers have been requested by air attack)

Monday, September 9

11:30 PM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
  • Voluntary Evacuations: Trabuco, Rose, Holy Jim Canyon, Plano Trabuco Shopping Center, Church, Hemingway Court, Walden HOA, Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo
  • The fire has expanded and is moving east towards Riverside County. All current community resource centers remain as-is, with additional resource centers available in Riverside County for affected residents.
  • Estimated size: 5,432 acres, 0% containment 

8:30 PM

  • Mandatory Evacuations: Robinson Ranch HOA, Trabuco Highlands HOA, Trabuco Highland Apartment Complex
  • Voluntary Evacuations: Trabuco, Rose, Holy Jim Canyon, Plano Trabuco Shopping Center, Church, Hemingway Court, Walden HOA, Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo
  • A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Lake Forest Sports Park located at 28000 Vista Terrace in Lake Forest. This temporary shelter will remain open until 10:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024.
  • A long-term care and reception shelter has been established at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center at 22232 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688. This shelter will remain open overnight.
  • A large animal shelter has been established at 88 Fair Drive in the city of Costa Mesa.
  • Mission Viejo Animal Services has set up a meet and reunite area inside the Ralphs parking lot at 31481 Santa Margarita Parkway to assist residents who have been evacuated with getting their pets back to them safely. If you need assistance with your pet, please call 949-470-3045 and press 2. OC Animal Care is also able to shelter other pets. OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road in the city of Tustin. Please bring photo identification, veterinary or vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animal.
  • Road Closures:
    • Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
    • Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
    • Antonio and Alas de Paz
    • Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
    • Santa Margarita and Antonio
    • Avenida Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway
    • Santiago Canyon Road and Live Oak Canyon Road
  • Estimated size: 1900 acres, 0% containment

5:15 PM

  • Mandatory evacuation orders: Robinson ranch, Trabuco Highlands
  • Voluntary evacuation warnings for: Dove Canyon, Rancho Cielo, Trabuco Canyon, Rose Canyon, Holy Jim Canyon
  • Road Closures: 
    • Plano Trabuco and Joshua Drive
    • Plano Trabuco and Robinson Ranch
    • Antonio and Alas de Paz
    • Trabuco Canyon and Trabuco Creek
    • Santa Margarita and Antonio
    • Avenida Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway
  • City of RSM has established an emergency shelter at the Bell Tower Regional Center
  • City of Costa Mesa has established a large animal shelter at the OC Fairgrounds
  • Estimated size: 1900 acres, 0% containment

3:45 PM

3:00 PM

  • No threat to SAMLARC community; no evacuation orders issued for SAMLARC
  • Voluntary evacuations: Rose Canyon, Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop, Cook's Corner

2:00 PM

  • No threat to SAMLARC community; no evacuation orders issued for SAMLARC. The Beach Club (including Office and Lagoon) and SAMLARC athletic facilities are closed due to poor air quality
  • Estimated size: 7 acres