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Fire at Trabuco Canyon Airport in OC Quickly Grows to 800 Acres, Forcing Evacuations – Orange County Register

Vaseline September 9, 2024

A wildfire broke out Monday afternoon, Sept. 9, and quickly burned 2,000 acres near the site of a radio-controlled flying club in Trabuco Canyon, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders and warnings for residents of Rancho Santa Margarita, authorities said.

According to Orange County Fire Department Capt. Sean Doran, the fire started around 1:30 p.m. in the 32200 block of Trabuco Creek Road, near the Trabuco Flyers Club.

• See also: This map shows the location of the fire at the Trabuco Canyon airport

By 2 p.m., the fire had burned about 7 acres. Within two hours, the fire had grown to about 800 acres.

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Firefighters battle the airport fire along Trabuco Creek Road in Trabuco Canyon, California, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Light wind gusts pushed the flames further into the brush and away from nearby homes, Doran said.

But around 2:45 p.m., residents in the areas near Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop and Cook’s Corner were issued an evacuation warning.

Residents along Meander Lane were ordered to evacuate around 3 p.m., while residents of the Robinson Ranch community, along Robinson Ranch Road and Shadow Rock Lane, were ordered to evacuate shortly after., officials said.

Fire crews, laborers, bulldozers, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to fight the fire, including OCFA’s new Firehawk helicopters.

The cause of the fire is under investigation; no injuries were reported.