[Forest Fires. Photo credit by Pexels]

The fire that started in Orange County and spread into Riverside County on September 9, 2024, dubbed the “Airport Fire”, has caused Orange County to prepare for a potential onslaught of claims from victims who were injured and/or had their property damaged or destroyed.

The blaze, which was accidentally started by a public works crew of Orange County operating heavy equipment in Trabuco Canyon during a record breaking heatwave in dry and brittle brush, has left a trail of destruction in its wake.

According to a statement made by the Orange County Operational Area Emergency Operations Center, the work crew was moving large rocks to improve driver safety along Trabuco Creek Road.

The work was “not directly related to fire safety” and had been requested by private property owners in the area.

Orange County Fire Authority Deputy Chief TJ McGovern confirmed the cause of the fire was due to a spark from heavy equipment and the failed attempts to extinguish the flames with extinguishers.

While the fire started in Trabuco Canyon, it spread eastward due to westward winds and traveled over Santiago Peak into Riverside County.

As of September 25, 2024, the fire is 95% contained but burned over 23,500 acres, damaged 34 structures, destroyed 160 structures, and caused 15 injuries.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by the fact that the Line Fire in San Bernardino County and the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles County were also blazing during the same time, stretching firefighting resources thin and producing unhealthy air quality due to the smoke.

The situation prompted several mandatory evacuation orders throughout Orange and Riverside Counties.

Lake Elsinore Unified School District closed down all school campuses on September 10, 2024, just as the fire began to spread throughout the Santa Ana Mountains due to the severity of the smoke in the area.

While all evacuation orders and warnings were lifted by officials in both counties on September 21, 2024, controversy continues to mount.

Critics, including firefighters, have openly stated that the decision of the Orange County Public Works to perform such work during the hottest point of the day with dry and windy conditions was “reckless and indefensible.”

Several retired firefighters have voiced their opinions that working under such conditions made no common sense and could subject Orange County to liability.

Legal action appears imminent, as attorney Emily Pincin is coordinating with “several other law firms to file a mass action lawsuit, potentially representing more than 1,000 victims, within the next six months.”

Orange County officials have remained silent on questions surrounding the county’s liability and the decision makers authorizing the work that initiated the fire.

“I am glad that the fire is being contained, and I understand that natural wildfires occasionally occur, but I am very upset by the fact that so many people’s homes were destroyed due to a fire that could have been preventable,” said Yu Cheng Liao, a resident of Riverside County.

Liao added, “I’m very grateful that my home remained untouched, but I know many whose lives were affected by the fire, and I hope that the county will do the right thing and compensate those affected.”

Orange County Public Works officials have stated that they would be evaluating their policies to try to prevent another fire like this from happening again.

As recovery efforts continue, there are still certain road closures throughout the counties, and officials have advised residents to plan accordingly.