A wildfire that broke out in Orange County’s Trabuco Canyon Monday afternoon exploded by several thousand acres overnight.

As of Tuesday morning, the Airport Fire had scorched more than 8,500 acres and has forced the evacuation of some homes in Trabuco Canyon and Rancho Santa Margarita.

Resources: Incident Home Page | InciWeb | OCFA on X | OC Sheriff on X

Authorities in Orange County say the Airport Fire, which broke out in Trabuco Canyon near a field for remote-controlled airplanes, was unintentionally started by public works employees using heavy equipment in the area.  

Officials said the employees were moving large boulders to restrict access to vegetation off Trabuco Creek Road, when sparks ignited the wildfire.

When the workers noticed smoke coming from the loader’s basket, they immediately called 911 while attempting to put the fire out with fire extinguishers.  

The wildfire has since charred 5,342 acres, prompted evacuation orders and road closures and injured two firefighters and one resident, all of whom are in stable condition.  

The latest evacuation alerts can be found here.

Excessive heat warnings for areas across Los Angeles County have been extended, Public Health announced Monday.

The excessive heat warnings have been extended for the following areas:

• Palos Verdes Hills
• San Gabriel Valley
• Santa Susana Mountains
• Calabasas/Agoura Hills
• Santa Monica Mountains
• Los Angeles Inland Coast
• San Fernando Valley

Southern California’s latest heat wave brought record temperatures for parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Hot conditions also brought along power outages and school schedule shifts. While the rest of the country enjoyed cooler weather, Southern California experienced its hottest days of the year.

Still, slight relief is coming as a cooldown is expected to arrive midweek, according to forecasters.

By Tuesday, temperatures in Orange County, San Fernando Valley and other areas are expected to drop from the triple-digit range to the mid to high 90s.

Whether you live in a desert community or closer to the beach, local officials urge residents to take precautions to stay safe during the hot weather.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Stay hydrated, wear loose-fitted, light-colored clothes and hats.
• Avoid exercising outdoors when it is too hot.
• Stay cool by staying in the shade outside, setting air conditioners between 75 and 80 degrees, and closing windows, shades, and blinds when inside.
• If those options aren’t feasible, people can visit nearby cooling centers. A list of ones across California can be found here.
• Drink at least 2 cups of water every hour, even if you’re not feeling thirsty.
• Check in on friends and family, especially elderly relatives or neighbors. Call 911 in case of a high fever or other emergencies.
• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially those with high water content.
• Wear sunscreen and avoid too much sun time.
• Bring pets inside and make sure they have fresh water.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
• Take cold showers.
• Check-in on vulnerable populations, like the elderly, people with severe or long-term illnesses and people who live on their own.