The head of Orange County Public Works quietly left his job weeks after his department was found to have started the devastating Airport fire , which continues to smolder in the hills of Orange and Riverside counties.
James Treadaway left his position as public works director late last week and is no longer employed by Orange County, said county spokesperson Shannon Widor. She said she was unable to comment on the reason for his departure, and Treadaway did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
County Engineer Kevin Onuma is serving as interim director of the department.
The Public Works department has been subject to significant scrutiny since its employees were found responsible for accidentally igniting the Airport fire.
The blaze was sparked by crew members using heavy machinery to move boulders in Trabuco Canyon on Sept. 9, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Many people, including fire officials, have questioned why the crew was working in dry brush amid triple-digit temperatures.