Wildfire season has been raging across California, especially during the excessive heat wave. The Airport Fire that broke out in Trabuco Canyon grew to burn 23,500 acres on Sep. 9.
The fire impacted California heavily as many were forced to evacuate their homes and some were left injured. The fire injured 12 firefighters and two civilians. During the fire, the air quality was extremely poor as well. Exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases and greatly cause harm to the respiratory system.
Unfortunately, the aftermath of the fire resulted in severe damage to the environment. The event affected vegetation, wildlife and local hikers who are constantly active within the area.
Jake Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the U.S Forest Service, shared, “Crews from the U.S Forest Service’s team have been assessing the damage to the burned area, looking at the burn scar for soil erosion, flooding and debris flow as the region moves into the rainy season.”
Thankfully, the Burned Area Emergency Response team took the initiative to reopen the trails that were impacted by the fire.
Several trails were reopened, however, various trails remained closed due to major damage caused by the fire. A few areas will take time to reopen with the possibility of some taking over a year.
For example, many campgrounds are still in the process of further assessments. At Orange County Parks, Caspers Wilderness Park will be closed, including the campground. Other parks being closed as of now include the Falcon, El Cariso and the Blue Jay campgrounds.
Danielle Kennedy, a spokesperson for OC Parks, says, “the site is being used by crews to access the impacted areas.”
After thorough inspections and repair efforts, the decision to reopen the trails came with strict guidelines for visitors. Hikers are advised to stay on designated paths and avoid any damaged or marked-off areas in order to let the recovery process for the ecosystem go more smoothly.
With trails officially reopened, locals are excited to explore their favorite spots once again. Jacqueline Torres (10) explains her excitement as she says, “I’m glad that those who were impacted by the fire are safe, and it’s good to hear people can go back to normalcy…hiking trails have always been a cherished part of our community.”
Park officials are optimistic about the natural recovery process and the community’s role in supporting it. However, as visitors return, the park service encourages responsible and safe use of the trails. It is advised that all visitors should be respectful of all trail signs and closures. Additionally, officers ask hikers to refrain from lighting campfires as the area remains vulnerable to new fire risks.
As the Trabuco area recovers, outdoor enthusiasts are invited to enjoy the newly reopened trails while keeping safety and preservation in mind. The return to these trail marks serves as a reminder of the resilience and beauty of nature here in Orange County. Students can check online if a park or trail has been reopened at the OC Parks website.
