Residents affected by Airport Fire considering legal action against Orange County

Three weeks after the Airport Fire erupted, the blaze has burned more than 23,000 acres across Orange and Riverside counties -- and now many of those impacted by the flames are planning to file a lawsuit.

The fire was 95% contained as of Monday. However, it has left a path of destruction along the way. Nearly 200 structures were destroyed or damaged.

Emily Pincin with the Kent | Pincin law firm is representing people who are looking to sue Orange County.

Eight firefighters were hurt -- including two critically -- when the fire truck they were in rolled over while returning from a 12-hour shift battling the Airport Fire.

"I would estimate that collectively we represent several hundred clients at this point," Pincin said. "I think by the time the lawsuits are filed there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of plaintiffs."

The Airport Fire was sparked on Sept. 9 by Orange County Public Works crews who were working using heavy machinery.

Orange County Fire Authority investigators deemed the cause accidental. Pincin said that doesn't matter.

"Operating this kind of machinery to move boulders in that heat and in the dry conditions is pretty egregiously negligent, and I do think the fire was certainly avoidable," Pincin said.

Those looking to take legal action will not be part of a class action lawsuit, according to Pincin.

"It's not going to be one plaintiff representing the hundreds of other individuals who were affected. There's not going to be one global demand," the attorney said. "Everybody has their own individual claims and that means in a mass action case everybody's individual claims and the value of those claims will be assessed differently."

Orange County has set up a website with resources for people impacted by the Airport Fire. County officials have not commented on the pending lawsuit.