TRABUCO CANYON (CNS) – Dry weather and low humidity are preventing full containment of the Airport Fire Monday and firefighters are working to minimize the spread of the fire that started three weeks ago.
Containment of the Airport Fire in Riverside and Orange counties remained at 95% Monday, with crews making sure no additional threats remain and drones outfitted with infrared sensors being used to detect any points of heat that could threaten the containment lines.
Fifteen people were injured — all but two of whom were firefighters who suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze.
All prior evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.
Highway 74 has been reopened, but hard closures remain at Trabuco Creek Road, Maple Springs Road, North Main Divide Road at Ortega Highway and Long Canyon Road at Ortega Highway.
Forecasters are predicting dry weather this week with low humidity. The Burned Area Emergency Response team is assessing the potential for watershed emergencies that could develop from any change in weather conditions, such as flooding or mudslides.
Over the next several days, additional crews will be working in Trabuco Canyon, removing hazardous trees that have been identified by tree experts as being too severely damaged from the fire, and posing a threat if allowed to remain.
A closure order is in effect for the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest.
Southern California Edison continues to replace damaged power poles and lines in the Lake Elsinore area, and will be using helicopters to transport and place the poles. Motorists were advised that traffic delays can occasionally occur for extended periods.
Officials said the fire was sparked by the county public works crew using heavy equipment. The cause was deemed accidental.
On Sept. 19, eight firefighters were injured when a transport truck carrying an Orange County Fire Authority hand crew swerved and rolled over on the northbound Foothill (241) Toll Road in Irvine as they were heading back to the Airport Fire command post after completing a 12-hour shift on the fire line.
Four crew members remain hospitalized in stable to critical condition while four others were treated and released, authorities said.
As of Sunday, 268 personnel were involved in the firefight, including five crews, six engines, 11 dozers, 10 water tenders and three helicopters.
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