More than 80 homes were completely destroyed in the massive Airport Fire, which tore through Orange and Riverside counties and left several people injured as entire communities were forced to flee, authorities said Saturday.
Since it broke out Monday afternoon, the wildfire has scorched more than 23,000 acres and remained just 19% contained as of Saturday, according to Cal Fire, or the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In the last few days, fire officials lifted some mandatory evacuation orders while many of those affected remain under evacuation warnings, meaning they can return home but should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Fourteen people, including a dozen firefighters, have been injured.
An estimated 109 structures have been lost so far — 82 of which are homes — in addition to 24 structures that are damaged including six homes, according to fire officials. Nearly 22,000 structures are still being threatened, Cal Fire said Saturday.