The City of Rancho Santa Margarita is notifying residents of a mandatory evacuation order for areas outside City limits, as related road closures directly affect access to and from Rancho Santa Margarita.
Effective Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., mandatory evacuations are in place for:
- Trabuco Creek (including the RC Airport, campground, and school)
- Bell Canyon (including Starr Ranch)
- Hot Springs Canyon (including Lazy-W Ranch)
As a result, hard road closures are in effect and may significantly impact regional travel and City ingress and egress at the following locations:
- Trabuco Road and Plano Trabuco
- Trabuco Canyon Road at Trabuco Creek
- Bell Canyon Road at Gray Rock
- Hot Springs Canyon Road at Ortega Highway
The U.S. Geological Survey has advised that forecasted rainfall may reach flash-flood levels capable of producing catastrophic debris flows, which can occur without warning and may render evacuation routes impassable due to mud, debris, or flooding.
While the evacuation order does not apply within Rancho Santa Margarita city limits, residents should anticipate traffic delays, detours, and limited access in surrounding canyon areas. Residents are urged to plan travel accordingly, avoid closed roadways, and monitor official updates.
For evacuation maps and additional information, visit www.ocsheriff.gov/airportfire.
The City will continue to share relevant information as it becomes available.