8 Orange County Firefighters Injured in Wildfire Hand-Crew Truck Crash on 241 Freeway in Irvine

Truck Crash Injures 8 Firefighters

On Saturday, July 23, 2023, at around 10:00 AM, an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) truck carrying a wildfire hand crew crashed on State Route 241 in Irvine, injuring all eight firefighters onboard. The firefighters were en route to the Holy Fire in Cleveland National Forest, where a large wildfire broke out the day before.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the truck overturned within the Toll Road 241 Express Lanes, near Sand Canyon Avenue.

The firefighters were transported to various nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical. They are all expected to survive. The cause of the accident is under investigation, and authorities are asking anyone with information to please contact the CHP.

Community Support and Investigation

In the wake of the accident, the OCFA has received messages of support and offers of assistance from across the state. The public can make donations to the OCFA Foundation to support the firefighters and their families.

The CHP is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will also be assisting.