Kwong, Orange County's health officer, on Friday reissued an emergency declarationn for the Airport fire that began Sept. 9 and has so far consumed more than 23,000 acres.

Eight firefighters returning from the Airport Fire were injured Thursday night in a rollover crash on a freeway in Orange County. The collision was reported around 6:45 p.m. on the northbound 241 Freeway just north of Portola Parkway in Irvine.

Airport Fire initially started 1:21 p.m. Sep. 9 in Orange, Riverside County. After being active for 10 days, it has burned 23,519 acres. A crew of 2,007 firefighters has been working on site and, by Thursday evening, they managed to contain 42% of the fire. The wildfire originated from equipment usage.

All eight passengers in a firefighting vehicle that overturned were evacuated by helicopter, with six sustaining severe injuries.

Orange County’s Health Officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong Friday reissued an emergency declaration for the Airport Fire as crews continued to make progress in the battle against the flames. The emergency declaration will help keep state funding available to help with the costs of battling the blaze,

The chief says firefighters have a “tough road ahead.” All who were injured were members of two hand crews that had been battling the Airport Fire since it ignited Sept. 9.