Voluntary evacuation warning issued for Orange County canyons near the Airport Fire Burn Scar

Santa Ana, Calif. (October 13, 2025)– Effective Monday, October 13 at 7 pm, an Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) will be issued for areas in the Trabuco Creek, Hot Springs Canyon, Bell Canyon, Long Canyon and Modjeska Canyon due to possible debris flows along or near the Airport Fire burn scar. A map with detailed depictions of the areas under Evacuation Warning (voluntary) can be found at  www.ocsheriff.gov/airportfire.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the burn scar area for Tuesday, October 14 at 5 am through Tuesday, October 14 at 5 pm for the expected rain event. A Flash Flood Warning may be issued if conditions worsen.

Canyon residents are strongly encouraged to prepare and voluntarily evacuate on Monday, October 13 at 7 pm, especially those with disabilities, access and/or functional needs, and canyon residents with large animals.

Any person with disabilities and those with access and/or functional needs requiring evacuation assistance should call Orange County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 714-647-7000.

Orange County Animal Care encourages animal owners in voluntary evacuation areas to implement their personal evacuation plans at this time. Pet evacuation tips are available at: https://ocpetinfo.com/education-resources/disaster-preparedness.

Any person needing assistance with information about animal or large animal evacuations should call Orange County Animal Care at 714-935-6848 during normal hours from 8 am to 5 pm or 714-259-1122 during after-hours from 5 pm to 8 am.

To report storm-related issues with a County road or flood control channel, call the Orange County Public Works Storm Center at 714-955-0333 during flash flood events and emergencies when OC Public Works’ Department Operations Center is activated.

Evacuation Areas

• Trabuco Creek – Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of October 13 at 7 pm)
• Hot Springs Canyon – Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of October 13 at 7 pm)
• Bell Canyon – Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of October 13 at 7 pm)
• Long Canyon – Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of October 13 at 7 pm)
• Modjeska Canyon – Evacuation Warning (VOLUNTARY – as of October 13 at 7 pm)

Road Closures

Soft road closures may be in place in the Canyon locations, particularly in Trabuco Creek and Modjeska Canyon near the Airport Fire burn scar.

Sheltering

Residents living in the evacuation areas are encouraged to leave early and plan for alternate shelter with friends, family or at a local hotel outside of the evacuation area. Depending on conditions, the Evacuation Warning (Voluntary) may transition to Evacuation Order (Mandatory) with little or no notice, so residents leaving the area are encouraged to plan accordingly.

In coordination with the Orange County Social Services Agency, Orange County Public Libraries, the American Red Cross will open a congregate (dormitory style) shelter location for evacuated residents of the Canyons at 7 pm on Monday, October 13. The shelter will be located at the Foothill Ranch Library Program Annex, which is directly adjacent to the Foothill Ranch Library located at 27002 Cabriole Way, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610.

Orange County Public Works, Orange County Animal Care, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are working in Unified Command.

Residents are encouraged to check regularly for updates through local media and on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)  following #OCCanyonFlood at:

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