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Event News & Information

Airport Fire evacuation and road closure updates for Orange County

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is announcing additional downgrades to evacuation orders and additional information regarding a limited re-opening of the Ortega Highway from Orange County all the way through to Riverside County effective Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 3 p.m. 

Hard Road Closure:

  • Hot Springs Canyon Road North of Ortega Highway

Hard Road Closure being released:

  • Ortega Hwy at US Forest Service Station #25 

A Mandatory Evacuation Orders remains in place for the following area: 

Ortega Highway 

  • ELCO1 - which includes Blue Jay Campground 

Evacuation Warning being released: 

Ortega Highway

  • ORT01B - which includes Caspers Regional Park 

The following “Hard” and “Soft” Road Closures will remain: 

Hard Road Closures: 

  • Trabuco Canyon Road and Trabuco Creek Road 
  • Santiago Peak Trailhead via Maple Springs 

Soft Road Closures: 

  • Modjeska Grade Road and Santiago Canyon Road 
  • Modjeska Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road 
  • Silverado Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road

Regarding the re-opening of the Ortega Highway, drivers should expect heavy delays due to work crews entering and exiting from Orange & Riverside Counties.  Intermittent closures should be expected as repairs to critical infrastructure continue.  Do not expect a normal flow of traffic.

Fire crews remain actively engaged in suppression efforts. Visitors are reminded to stay out of the area affected by the fire, and refrain from recreational use of roads, trails, switchbacks and areas until the fire is fully contained. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will continue to have a strong presence in the repopulated and evacuated areas for the next several days to ensure the protection of our residents and their property. 

The OC Public Information Hotline phone number is (714) 628-7085. All resources and support personnel have been identified and are on standby ready to mobilize other areas of the Emergency Operations Center when needed.

Residents may receive emergency alerts on their cell phones and e-mail addresses by registering online at www.alertoc.com. The phone numbers registered will be called only if the registered address is affected by an emergency situation. 

Care and Reception Center

Foothill Ranch library located at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, 92610 is now open. Small household pets can co-locate.

Saddleback Church and the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower Regional Community Center are closed.

Large Animal Shelters

  • OC Fair and Events Center at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 92626 has a number of stalls still available. Owners should call 714-708-1588 prior to arrival and enter Gate 9 off Arlington.
  • The Los Alamitos Race Course at 4961 Katella Ave. Cypress, 90720 has available space. The public can call 714-820-2830 and enter the Stable Gate.
  • Nohl Ranch Saddle Club at 6352 E. Nohl Ranch, Anaheim, 92807 has limited stalls available in addition to paddocks and round pens. The public can call 714-308-1093.
  • Serrano Creek Stable in Lake Forest is currently full.

Small Animal Shelters

  • OC Animal Care is also able to shelter other pets. OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin, 92782. Please bring photo identification, veterinary or vaccination records, special food, and medications along with your animal.

Claims for Money or Damages 

If your property has been damaged as a result of the Airport Fire, and you are currently insured, file a claim with your insurance provider. If your property has been damaged as a result of the Airport Fire and you are underinsured or uninsured, please fill out this form:

Claim for Money or Damages Word Doc 

Claim for Money or Damages Adobe PDF

United State Postal Service Mail Information

Visit https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/residential/welcome.htm for information on currently closed locations. If you are in an evacuation area and your Postal Service location is open, visit the location with a government issued photo id to retrieve mail.

Medical Prescriptions for Evacuees

Any evacuees needing prescription medications and who are unable to fill them via their health care provider or pharmacy should call the OC Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. Hotline staff will ask for callers to provide their name and telephone number. County personnel will screen and process requests and will respond to callers at the telephone number provided.

Public Information Map

View Larger Map

Hi-Lo Siren

Some of the Sheriff's Department's patrol units are now equipped with a new siren feature to alert residents to evacuation orders during emergencies, such as a fire or flood. The system also is equipped with an external PA system that can play recorded messages to notify residents about the need to evacuate.

Our priority during any emergency is your safety, and this new tool will help bolster our response efforts during mass evacuations. Remember: When you hear hi-lo, it's time to go!

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