Toxic Smoke Forces Closure Of OC Schools

TUSTIN, CA — District officials closed public schools in Tustin Thursday in response to concerns about air quality just after a fire destroyed a massive World War II-era hangar at the nearby former military base.

Health and fire officials are encouraging residents in the area to limit exposure to smoke, ash and dirt from the fire after lab testing showed the presences of asbestos, the South Coast Air Quality Management District reported.

“South Coast AQMD also collected air samples near the hangar and in nearby communities which are being analyzed in our laboratory for gaseous air toxics, such as benzene. In addition, mobile monitoring was conducted for metals such as lead and arsenic,” South Coast AQMD officials said in a press release Wednesday night. “Results of these measurements will be available in the next 24 hours.”

The blaze ripped through the north hangar at the closed Tustin Marine Corps Air Station Tuesday morning, releasing large plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering smoke advisories in the area.

Wednesday, health officials urged people who are sensitive to poor air quality to avoid smoke form the fire that continued to burn in the remains of the air station.

Later Wednesday night, Tustin Unified School District Superintendent Mark Johnson notified parents of the asbestos in a message posted on the school district's website.

"Late tonight, in a conference call with multiple agencies regarding the North Hangar 1 Fire, South Coast Air Quality Management District made us aware that debris found in the Tustin Legacy area tested greater than 1% positive for asbestos," He wrote in his statement.

"With student and staff safety being our highest priority and in collaboration with the City of Tustin and the Orange County Health Care Agency, we made the decision to close all school campuses within Tustin Unified School District tomorrow, Thursday, November 9."

The city of Tustin has also closed parks in the area including:

• Ron Foell Park, 60 Windrow Rd.
• Centennial Park, 14722 Devonshire Ave.
• Pine Tree Park, 1402 Bryan Ave.
• Tustin Legacy Park, Red Hill Avenue/Barranca Pkwy.
• Veterans Sport Park, 1645 Valencia Ave.
• Frontier Park, 1400 Mitchell Ave.
• The Annex at Tustin Legacy, 15445 Lansdowne Rd.
• Tustin Sports Park, 12850 Robinson Dr.
• Victory Park, 3300 Park Ave.

The city urged residents to abide by the following precautions in order to remain safe while further testing is done:

• Try to limit your exposure by remaining indoors, with windows and doors closed or seek alternative shelter to reduce exposure to smoke and ash.
• Avoid touching ash as ash from burned structures is generally more hazardous than forest 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.
• Children and pets: 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.
• Run your air conditioner or air purifier. If possible, do NOT use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air.
• If you are going to be outside, a properly fitted N95 or P100 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.

For more information on precautions, visit the City of Tustin's website.

The cause of the fire that destroyed the World War II-era blimp hangar at the former Tustin Air Base early Tuesday morning was not immediately known.

The danger posed by the fire caused firefighters to allow the fire to burn out.

"Due to the dynamic nature of the fire, and the imminent danger of collapse, we have determined the most operationally sound method is to allow the structure to collapse, at which point ground crews can move in closer, and aggressively work to extinguish the fire," the OCFA said in a statement around daybreak.

The Orange County Fire Authority reported Tuesday evening that the hangar was still on fire, but the flames were less threatening. Several firefighters were expected to remain at the scene overnight to ensure full containment, along with no additional random flare-ups.

Listed on the national Register of Historic Places, the hangars stand 17 stories high, are over 1,000 feet long and 300 feet wide -- and are two of the largest wooden structures ever built, according to the website Tustin Hangars.

Crews responded after 1:30 a.m. to the hangar at Valencia Avenue and Armstrong Road, where they found massive flames bursting through the roof, according to the OCFA.

Pieces of the roof were seen slowly falling to the ground as the fire continued to burn. At one point early Tuesday morning, the fire authority called in a helicopter to help put out the blaze. Motorists were asked to avoid the area, and arson investigators were sent to the scene to determine the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.

Police remained at the scene around the clock for security and assistance with monitoring embers, Tustin Police Department Lt. Ryan Coe said.

The historic hangars have been featured in television and films, including "JAG, " "The X-Files," "Austin Powers," "Pearl Harbor " and "Star Trek."

Anyone with information that might be helpful to investigators was asked to call 714-573-3225. Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at (855) TIP-OCCS.