Riverside County has declared a local emergency due to the Airport fire.
The county proclaimed the emergency on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The Board of Supervisors will vote on officially ratifying the proclamation at its next regular meeting, scheduled for Sept. 17.
The emergency proclamation makes the county eligible for potential state and federal assistance, if it becomes available. It also allows the county to quickly acquire goods needed for emergency response and repair.
Map: See where the Airport, Bridge and Line fires are burning in Southern California
The fire began on Monday, Sept. 9, when Orange County public works crews were placing boulders to prevent access to vegetation along Trabuco Creek Road. A spark from equipment started the fire and spread uncontrollably soon after, according to Deputy Chief TJ McGovern of the Orange County Fire Authority.
As of midday Wednesday, more than 22,376 acres had burned, with no containment. Structures had been burned, but as of midday, no information on how many was available.
The Airport fire is one of three major wildfires currently threatening Southern California.
The Line fire began Thursday, north of Highland. As of midday Wednesday, the fire has burned nearly 35,000 acres, forcing evacuations in many communities and leading to school closures in some areas. Containment was at 14% midday Wednesday, fire officials said. San Bernardino County proclaimed an emergency related to the Line fire on Saturday.
The Bridge fire began Friday and, as of midday Wednesday, had burned more than 49,000 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties with 0% containment. It’s threatening mountain communities including Wrightwood and Mt. Baldy. San Bernardino County proclaimed an emergency related to the Bridge fire on Tuesday evening.
More on the Airport, Bridge and Line fires
Homes destroyed near Lake Elsinore as massive Airport fire continues to burn
Wildfires rage out of control across Southern California
Map: See where the Airport, Bridge and Line fires are burning in Southern California
Attempt to protect Big Bear from Line fire is ‘looking good,’ fire official says; but evacuations ordered for dam area
Bridge fire now at 49,008 acres — largest active wildfire in state now
Homes destroyed near Lake Elsinore as massive Airport fire continues to burn
98-year-old Keller Peak Fire Lookout falls as Line fire burns in San Bernardino National Forest
Leave a Reply