Orange County officials launched a website to help residents and will open a center Thursday at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, where people affected by the Airport Fire can get assistance and information on available resources.
The service center at 28000 Marguerite Parkway is on the second-floor lounge of the college and will be open from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The website is at ocgov.com/recovery.
Firefighters were continuing to make progress battling the massive Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties, holding the spread and growth of the blaze that started more than a week ago.
As of Thursday, the fire had burned 23,519 acres with containment at 41%. The size of the fire was the same Tuesday.
The blaze has destroyed 160 structures and damaged 34 others.
Legal claims are beginning to trickle in to the county regarding the cause that sparked the blaze. Authorities have said it started when an Orange County Public Works crew was removing boulders.
Mikhail Trubchik, 40, said his San Juan Capistrano home was destroyed in the fire and has filed a claim for $2.3 million. He said the blaze destroyed his house, guest house and a five-car garage.
Fred and Diane Neubauer of Trabuco Canyon filed a claim for $1,043.75 for hotel expenses when they were evacuated from the area.
Two law firms have also sent letters to the county of a potential claim that requests a preservation of evidence.
Cooler temperatures helped firefighters make progress on battling the blaze Tuesday and Wednesday. Helicopter water drops on Santiago Park helped extinguish flames there. Crews were working to bolster the perimeter because they expect warmer temperatures and dryer weather in the coming days.
Firefighters are finding the fire line between Modjeska and Santiago Peaks pesky because of its steep, winding terrain, officials said.
The reopening of Ortega Highway has led to a great deal more traffic, so firefighters asked drivers to be careful of firefighting crews in the area.
Officials said crews were having "notable success in increasing containment" in areas such as Lake Elsinore, Decker Canyon Road and Lakeland Village.
Most evacuation orders and warnings were lifted in Orange County, with a larger number still in effect in Riverside County. Residents can go to go.genasys.com/11hh53 to determine if their homes are impacted by evacuation orders or warnings.
An evacuation center was established at Foothill Ranch Library, 27002 Cabriole Way. Pets were also being accepted at that location. Large animals were being housed at Orange County Fairgrounds, Los Alamitos Race Course and Nohl Ranch Saddle Club at 6352 E. Nohl Ranch Road in Anaheim.
The following road closures were in effect in Orange County:
A series of other "soft closures" remained in place, allowing access for residents. Full details on closures were available at fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/9/9/airport-fire.
Officials said 15 people were injured, with all but two being firefighters who suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze, many of them heat-related.
The Airport Fire began at about 1 p.m. Sept. 9 near Trabuco Canyon Road in the area of the remote-controlled airplane airport, OCFA Capt. Sean Doran said. Officials said the fire was sparked by a county public works crew using heavy equipment. The cause was deemed accidental.
Fire officials estimate that the fire will be fully contained by lines of cleared vegetation by Sept. 24.
Some 1,988 personnel were involved in the firefight, including 73 crews, 80 engines, 25 dozers, 34 water tenders and 17 helicopters.
The Airport Fire was one of three large wildfires burning in Southern California. The Line Fire had burned 39,232 acres in San Bernardino County and was 51% contained, while the Bridge Fire in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties had burned 54,795 acres and was at 41% containment.
Cal Fire officials said Gov. Gavin Newsom has secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency "to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppressing the Airport Fire."