The raging O.C. Airport Fire was accidentally started by County employees

The Orange County Aiport Fire has darkened the skies throughout Orange County and continues to endanger homes and residents in the Trabuco Canyon area. Now we know what started this fire.

Orange County Fire Authority investigators found that the fire was caused by a spark from heavy equipment being used by two Public Works employees on Trabuco Creek Road on Sept. 9 at 1:21 p.m. This has been categorized as an unintentional fire.

The equipment was being used to replace barriers out in the area to restore a pathway, according to Orange County Fire Authority Deputy Chief TJ McGovern, who spoke at a Monday news conference.

The two Orange County Public Works employees were unable to put out the fire that resulted from a spark from the equipment they were using.

The fire has grown to 8,509 acres as of Tuesday. More than 1,400 homes have been evacuated in Trabuco Canyon and Rancho Santa Margarita. More than 1,000 firefighters have responded to this fire.

Flames have been seen near an antenna farm at Santiago Peak.

Two firefighters were treated for heat-related injuries and one civilian was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. No significant property damage had been reported as of Tuesday morning, according to the OCFA.

A 3-year-old child and their parents who were out hiking on a trail were airlifted to safety, as well as a man and his cats from his home, according to the OCFA.

This fire is currently running upslope folloing the terrain and is being pushed by the wind.

Evacuations

Residents of the following area have been urged by authorities to evacuate. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave immediately.

• Rose Canyon Road
• Trabuco Creek Road
• Trabuco Canyon Road
• Trabuco Oaks Drive
• Joplin Loop
• Cook’s Corner

ROAD CLOSURES

At 11:30 p.m., the Orange County Fire Authority reported the following roads closed to the public:

• 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

SERVICES AND SHELTERS

Residents in need of assistance were urged to call the county’s Public Information Hotline at 714-628-7085. Pet owners who require help with their animals are encouraged to contact the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center by calling 949-470-3045 and pressing 2.

PARKS AND TRAILS CLOSED

As of 3 p.m., O’Neill Regional Park was closed as a result of the Airport Fire. The closure includes the park’s campgrounds, according to the county, and visitors with questions about existing campsite reservations were asked to call 949-923-2260.

The county also closed trails and day use areas at Caspers Wilderness Park.

A long-term evacuation point was established at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center, 22232 El Paseo in Rancho Santa Margarita.

A large animal shelter has been established at 88 Fair Drive in the city of Costa Mesa, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Pets can also be taken to the Orange County Animal Care Center, located at 1630 Victory Road in the City of Tustin. Residents were asked to bring photo ID, vet/vacc