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Hangar Incident FAQs

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1. WHAT DO I DO IF I COME ACROSS DEBRIS I THINK IS FROM THE HANGAR?

Enter the information into the Debris Reporting Form on our website.

2. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SEE A PIECE OF DEBRIS?

If you think you have debris from the fire, consider it to be hazardous and avoid contact. Enter information into portal.

3. WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE?

The fire is still under investigation and will take several weeks to complete.

4. WHY DID OCFA LET THE FIRE BURN?

The Firefight:

1. Efforts by the OCFA to extinguish the fire the morning it ignited were unprecedented. It was likely the first time in human history that the largest firefighting helicopters in the world made water drops on a structure at night.
   1. Conducting air operations at night always comes with risk, but the OCFA command staff agreed that the historical value of the hangar and its rich ties to the City of Tustin, especially its veteran community, warranted such risk for the potential reward of partially saving the building.
2. As this aerial attack with three helicopters was occurring, the OCFA had over 70 firefighters on 11 Engines, 5 Trucks, Heavy Search & Rescue, and multiple other additional pieces of equipment aiding in the firefight.
3. Unfortunately, this unprecedented aerial attack and robust ground crew presence did little to nothing to impede the fire’s path on this 17-story all-wood building (one of the largest ever constructed in the world).
4. Built during WWII, the hangar had none of the fire suppression and patron survivability measures of today; no fire sprinklers, no hose line plumbing, and no access to upper levels.
5. In short, it became evident that no amount of firefighting resources, aircraft, or personnel was going to stop the fire from burning itself out – at least not without a direct risk to the lives of our firefighters.

The Plan:

1. It was then determined by the Fire Chief and Incident Commander that the safest and most operationally sound method to extinguish this fire was to allow it to burn itself out over several days.
2. At no point in the ensuing days has there been a safe or effective opportunity for firefighters to approach or engage the fire with ground resources, and even if there was, the AQMD’s perimeter eliminates any potential approach of firefighters.
3. Further, because helicopter drops cannot access the void spaces in which the fire is burning itself out, an aerial attack is also not a viable or safe option.
4. The expected upticks in fire activity present no threat of spread to surrounding structures and there is no debris in the smoke due to the low energy of the fire. 
5. In other words, what the Fire Chief stated publicly at the incident’s first Press Conference — the safest and most operationally sound method of extinguishing this fire is to let it burn out — remains valid.
   
   

5. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK MYSELF OR MY FAMILY IS HAVING RESPIRATORY DIFFICULTY?

Dial 911 for paramedics.

6. DO I NEED A MASK?

If you are in the immediate surrounding area or visibly see debris, a P100-rated respirator may provide some protection.

In response to requests from community members, the City of Tustin has procured a limited number of N95 masks.  These masks will be available free to community members at the following locations and hours of operation. 

Columbus Tustin Recreation Center

17522 Beneta Way, Tustin CA 92780

Cross-Streets: Prospect Ave & Beneta Way

Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

 

7. CAN I VISIT THE HANGAR?

No. The hanger and immediate surrounding area are closed until further notice.

8. IS KENSINGTON PARK SHOPPING CENTER STILL OPEN?

Yes.

9. IS IT SAFE INSIDE?

Try to limit your exposure by remaining indoors, with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter to reduce exposure to smoke and ash.

10. IS IT SAFE TO BE OUTSIDE?

If you are in the immediate surrounding area, follow the health and safety tips above.

11. ARE PETS SAFE TO BE OUTDOORS?

Caring for Your Pets.

Noted below are some recommendations for caring your house pets during smoke-related emergency situations. It was shared by Tustin Veterinary Medical Director, Dr. Kristen Negvesky and endorsed by UC Davis School of Medicine, CA Veterinary Emergency Team and a Professor from their Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Team.

 

• Keep pets indoors as much as possible. For dogs, consider using potty pads or commercial grass patches indoors rather than taking them out for urination/defecation. Run air filters in the home, ideally HEPA filters, to reduce the size of particulate matter in your home's air. This may make the air drier, so ensure your pets always have plenty of fresh water available and encourage them to drink water frequently. 
• If you must walk your dog outside, keep it as brief as possible and avoid any exertion as this will increase your dog’s respiratory rate and cause more inhalation of potentially dangerous air particles. Prevent your dog from eating anything while outside, sniffing the grass/ground or putting their nose into bushes, or rolling in the grass. Wipe their feet after coming inside using pet wipes. 
• Wipe pets’ bodies/feet at least 1-2 times daily with pet wipes to get rid of any debris or particulate matter that may be in your home; this will also help to prevent ingestion of potentially harmful particles when pets lick themselves. 
• Pets with environmental allergies should be given extra consideration when there are any issues with air quality, or rains/winds (as we’ve experienced recently) that put more particulate matter into the air or move it around. Talk with your veterinarian about using medicated shampoos/mousse and medical-strength Omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen the skin barrier to allergens and prevent/reduce them from seeping through the skin and causing itchiness. Stay up to date on any allergy treatments your veterinarian has prescribed, such as allergy injections or oral allergy medications. 
• Monitor your pets for any respiratory issues, such as trouble breathing, abnormally increased respiratory rate or depth, or shortness of breath. Monitor for healthy pink tongue and gum color; contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice abnormal coloration such as pale, blue or gray/muddy gums/tongue, which indicate poor oxygen perfusion in the bloodstream. If your pet has an existing respiratory or heart condition, also monitor episodes of extreme lethargy, collapse, or excessive coughing. 

 

If you are concerned about anything regarding your pet, please contact your veterinarian. Additional information regarding large animals when exposed by wildfires: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/guidelines-horses-exposed-wildfire-smoke. Follow air quality index link for information in your area/zip code: https://www.airnow.gov/. 

 

 

 

12. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DETECTION AND MITIGATION?

Yes. There are two different companies handling two different aspects. EnviroCheck is handling the detection. ATI is handling the removal.

13. ARE THERE PLANS TO CONDUCT AIR MONITORING OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN?

The main focus of the response is in and around the hangar. The debris fallout reported will help guide air monitoring plans. U.S. EPA is the lead on air monitoring for this incident and is working with Unified Command.

14. CAN I CALL MY OWN CERTIFIED ASBESTOS COMPANY DETECTION COMPANY?

Yes. But we cannot guarantee reimbursement.

15. CAN I HOSE OFF DEBRIS ON MY PROPERTY?

No. Enter the information into portal.

16. CAN I DO OUTSIDE LAWNCARE?

If you are in the immediate area, limit or avoid activities that will displace debris related to the fire. (Example- Avoid sweeping, landscaping, leaf blowing, mowing, gardening)

17. IS THERE A CONCERN ABOUT ASBESTOS IN DRINKING WATER / GROUNDWATER BASIN?

No.

18. WHAT ABOUT THE WATER RUNOFF?

The hangar is surrounded by open fields. Most water will percolate into the existing soil. Tustin engineers have looked at the runoff reservoirs, and they are big enough to prevent flow of water into the storm drains.

19. AT WHAT LOCATIONS ARE THE WATER SAMPLES BEING TAKEN?

Stormwater samples were taken at: San Diego Creek at Campus Drive and Peters Canyon Wash at Barranca Channel, both located in Irvine.

20. WITH RAINFALL, DOES THE COUNTY PERFORM WATER QUALITY TESTING?

Yes. The County routinely performs stormwater sampling for the first storm of the season, and two storms afterwards. The County also performs dry weather water sampling quarterly throughout the year.

21. WHEN WAS WATER SAMPLING PERFORMED?

Stormwater sampling was performed on November 16, following the November 15 rainfall.

22. WHAT DOES THE COUNTY'S STORMWATER SAMPLING TEST FOR? DOES IT INCLUDE TESTING FOR THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS?

Stormwater sampling tests for a variety of pollutants, including arsenic, copper, lead, zinc, and other heavy metals. This recent stormwater sampling will allow us to compare this data to levels of metals present in previous stormwater flows. The County does not typically test for the presence of asbestos in stormwater.

23. IS THERE A CONCERN ABOUT ASBESTOS IN STORMWATER MOVING THROUGH STORM DRAINS AND FLOOD CONTROL CHANNELS?

We are not aware of unhealthy levels of asbestos in stormwater since the primary pathway for human health impact by asbestos is through the air.

24. WHEN ARE STORMWATER TEST RESULTS AVAILABLE AFTER TAKING THE WATER SAMPLE?

Results by a third-party laboratory are typically available in approximately four weeks.