OC firefighters injured in accident after airport fire and still in hospital

Four firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority's Santiago crew remained hospitalized Friday evening after their vehicle crashed on State Route 241 while returning from fighting a fire at the airport, officials said.

The accident occurred around 6:40 p.m. Thursday on northbound State Route 241 when their vehicle swerved to avoid a ladder and rolled several times, according to the California Highway Patrol. The eight-person fire crew was just finishing its 12-hour shift at the airport fire when the incident occurred.

The airport fire started on September 9 on Trabuco Creek Road near the RC airfield and had grown to 23,519 acres and was 51% contained as of Friday morning.

Of the eight passengers, seven were transported by ambulance and one by helicopter, Fire Chief Brian Hennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority said at a news conference Friday. Six were taken to local trauma centers – two to Orange County Global Medical Center, three to Mission Hospital and one to UC Irvine.

“This is devastating for me personally and devastating for everyone in the fire service here in Orange County,” Hennessy added.

Two other firefighters were taken to Hoag Hospital in Irvine in stable condition and released Thursday evening, Hennessy said.

One firefighter was released from UCI Medical Center and another from Mission Hospital on Friday, the Orange County Fire Authority said in an update to X.

The four remaining firefighters are in hospital in varying conditions.

“The outpouring of good wishes has touched us deeply and is greatly appreciated by everyone at OCFA,” the agency said in a statement on Friday evening.

“Please think of our firefighters, keep them in mind and pray for them. We thank you all for your support,” the statement continued.

Humberto Sari, a doctor at Orange County Global Medical Center, said during the press conference that both firefighters at his hospital were in intensive care Friday morning, one in critical but stable condition and the other in life-threatening condition.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured firefighters and their families during this incredibly difficult time,” said Don Wagner, chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, in a press release. “We deeply thank these brave men and women for their selfless service and dedication to our community.”

Times writer Clara Harter contributed to this report.