Officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Airport Fire burn scar and warnings for other Orange County areas on Tuesday morning as a strong Pacific storm continues to batter Southern California.
The O.C. Sheriff’s Department put the evacuation order into effect at 10 a.m. Tuesday for “areas in Trabuco Creek including the RC Airport, fire station, campground/park and school, Bell Canyon including Starr Ranch and Hot Springs Canyon including Lazy-W Ranch, due to possible debris flows along or near the Airport Fire burn scar.”
OCSD said a voluntary evacuation warning remains in place for Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon. Click here for a map with depictions of the evacuation areas.
“Residents living in the evacuation areas are encouraged to leave early and plan for alternate shelter with friends, family or at a local hotel outside of the evacuation area,” stated OCSD. “Depending on conditions, the Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) may transition to Evacuation Order (Mandatory) with little or no notice, so residents leaving the area are encouraged to plan accordingly.”
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Evacuation areas are seen near the Airport Fire burn scar areas for a strong Pacific storm. October 2025. (USGS/OCSD) -
The Airport Fire has burned over 23,500 acres as of Sunday afternoon and has destroyed over 150 structures in Riverside and Orange counties. September 2024. (Traffic News Los Angeles) -
CALIFORNIA, USA – SEPTEMBER 13: A view of burnt vehicles and structures during the wildfire as called Airport Fire in Orange County, California, United States on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) -
Firefighters battle the Airport Fire along Trabuco Creek Road in Trabuco Canyon, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA)
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for the burn scar area from 11 a.m. Tuesday until 5 p.m. Thursday.
Officials said any person with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance should call Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.
To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, OCSD said to call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center at 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.
OCSD also listed the following hard road closures:
- Trabuco Canyon Road at Rose Canyon
- Plano Trabuco near Robinson Ranch
- Grey Rock at Bell Canyon
- Hot Springs Canyon at Ortega Highway
Residents under mandatory evacuation orders can bring dogs, cats and small animals to the O.C. Animal Care shelter located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, CA 92782.
For larger animals, residents can go to the Orange County Fair Grounds, located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Large animal owners should call prior to arrival at 714-820-2830.
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