Authorities in Orange County say the Airport Fire, which broke out in Trabuco Canyon near a field for remote-controlled airplanes, was unintentionally started by public works employees using heavy equipment in the area.
Officials said the employees were moving large boulders to restrict access to vegetation off Trabuco Creek Road, when sparks ignited the wildfire.
When the workers noticed smoke coming from the loader’s basket, they immediately called 911 while attempting to put the fire out with fire extinguishers.
The wildfire has since charred 5,342 acres, prompted evacuation orders and road closures and injured two firefighters and one resident, all of whom are in stable condition.
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Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
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) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
An airplane drops retardant on the Airport Fire 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) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Smoke and flames seen from the Airport Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
A massive plume of smoke is visible from Sky5 as it flies over the Airport Fire, which broke out in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. -
Video from Sky5 shows massive plumes of smoke and large flames from the Airport Fire burning in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, 2024. -
Sky5 view of the wildfire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, California on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA) -
Sky5 view of the wildfire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County, California on Sept. 9, 2024. (KTLA)
The latest evacuation alerts can be found here.