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Home My WebLink About111223-Tustin-Hangar-Incident-Daily-UpdateTUSTIN HANGAR INCIDENT Incident Update Date: 11/12/2023 Information Hotline: 714-628-7085 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Email: hangarincidentktustinca.org Incident Website: https://tustinca.org LOCATION: Warner Avenue / Legacy Road, Tustin: Start Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 0100 Former Marine Corps Air Station BACKGROUND: On the morning of November 7th, the Orange County Fire Authority responded to a report of a well - established fire inside one of the former Marine Corps Air Station hangars located near the intersection of Warner Avenue and Legacy Road. Due to lack of water supply and the height of the hangar (17 stories tall), a decision was made to place resources in a defensive posture and allow the fire to burn, while preventing fire spread to other buildings or property on the incident site. Since the hangar is such a large structure, this fire continues to smolder. CURRENT SITUATION: Air quality technicians were contracted to test fire debris in the area for possible asbestos particles. These tests revealed that asbestos had contaminated the immediate area and some surrounding neighborhoods. The Tustin City Council convened an emergency meeting and declared the area a local emergency area, and has activated an incident management team from the Orange County Fire Authority to work together with the City of Tustin. The City of Tustin has contracted with an asbestos detection company to identify areas of contamination. This morning, hazard removal technicians began conducting cleanup of the roads and sidewalks in the immediate area neighborhoods. Plans are being made as to the schedule and areas to be treated. These cleanup operations may take several weeks to complete. The City of Tustin, in partnership with the U.S. Navy, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Orange County Health Care Agency, and Orange County Emergency Management, is working to mitigate this situation as quickly as possible. Portions of the hangar continue to flare up periodically. We continue to monitor the situation both on the ground and from the air with the use of our drones. These expected upticks in fire activity present no threat of the fire spreading to surrounding structures. The safest and most operationally sound method of extinguishing the fire is to continue to let it burn itself out. ASBESTOS PRECAUTIONS: If you are being impacted by windblown smoke, debris, dust or ash, the OC Health Care Agency suggests these precautions: Try to limit your exposure by remaining indoors, with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter to reduce exposure to smoke and ash. Limit or avoid activities that will displace ash into the air. Avoid direct contact with ash. If you get ash on your skin, in your eyes, or in your mouth, wash it off as soon as you can. People with heart or lung disease, including asthma, older adults, children, and pregnant women should use special caution around ash or debris. Children should not be nearby while you clean up ash. Do not allow children to play in ash. Clean ash off all children's toys before use. Clean ash off pets and other animals. Avoid vigorous activity if you are closer than one mile from the hangar. Run your air conditioner or air purifier. If possible do NOT use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air. TUSTIN HANGAR INCIDENT Incident Update Date: 11/12/2023 If you are going to be outside, a properly fitted P 100 respirator may provide some protection. Keep your airways (nose and mouth) moist by drinking extra amounts of water. People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should remain indoors. Seek medical attention if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. Minimize exposure to other sources of indoor air pollution- avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves — including candles or incense. PARK CLOSURES: Due to possible asbestos contamination, the following parks are closed until further notice: o The Annex at Tustin Legacy, 15445 Lansdowne Road o Tustin Legacy Park, Red Hill Avenue/Barranca Parkway o Veterans Sport Park, 1645 Valencia Avenue o Tustin Sports Park, 12850 Robinson Drive o Victory Park, 3300 Park Avenue o Centennial Park, 14722 Devonshire Ave. o Frontier Park, 1400 Mitchell Ave. o Ron Foell Park, 60 Windrow Rd. o Pine Tree Park, 1402 Bryan Ave. o Additional parks/facilities may be closed pending further information from AQMD/OCHCA SCHOOL CLOSURES: Due to possible contamination, all Tustin Unified schools will be designated a non -student day for Monday, November 13th. Information on schools returning to classes after the 13th will be dependent upon additional testing results. Future updates from this incident will be released daily that will include updated information based on new intel from the incident.