Wildfire — San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire, California

2024-09-10 to 2024-09-21 · San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire, California

Event narrative

The Airport fire began at 120 pm PDT Monday September 9, 2024 in Trabuco Canyon of Orange County (remote control airport facility) and then burned to the Santa Ana mountain crest and Santiago Peak and reached into western Riverside County on September 10th, 2024. The wildfire caused major damage in the small town of El Cariso village and prompted evacuations into Lake Elsinore. Riverside County reported 55 structures destroyed and 7 homes severe damaged. There were about 50 vehicles that were burned and damaged, which many were historical models and featured in movies. Over 150 structures were destroyed in including 119 homes due to the Airport wildfire between Orange and Riverside counties. Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was awarded for the Airport wildfire with total damage estimated at 95 million. Reports indicated that up to 400 million in claims were filed.

Wider weather episode

Following and during a record heat wave, 3 large wildfires erupted and became out of control burning rapidly. The Airport fire started in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County on the south portion of the Santa Ana mountains. The Bridge fire started in the San Gabriel mountains and spread into Wrightwood and Mt Baldy. The Line fire started in Highland and burned for weeks up the Santa Ana River drainage of the San Bernardino mountains. The wildfires were between 23,0000 and 55,000 acres and caused millions of dollars of damage and expenses to fight.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1219526. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.