The Board of Supervisors today approved a cost-sharing agreement between the Riverside County Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and Orange County Fire Authority to mitigate expenses tied to the 23,526-acre Airport Fire, which was contained in October .
In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the agreement, under which Riverside County will pick up about one-third, or $2.6 million, of the nearly $8 million in costs stemming from the roughly month-long battle to stop the brushed.
“The result of the cost apportionment process is a cost share agreement identifying the percentage of the costs of the fire for which the agencies involved will fund,” according to a county fire statement posted to the board’s agenda.
Documents showed the Riverside County Fire Department deployed engine crews, strike teams and mobile communications units over the duration of the Airport Fire, which began on the afternoon of Sept. 9 along Trabuco Canyon Road, next to recreational space used by remote-controlled airplane enthusiasts, according to the OCFA.