Boss of Orange County, CA, Crew that Started Airport Fire Off the Job

The department head of OC Public Works, which had a crew that accidentally sparked the Airport fire, no longer is working for the county, officials confirmed Wednesday.

A county spokeswoman would not disclose why James Treadaway left his position, calling it a personnel matter.

Treadaway’s last day was on Sept. 26. Kevin Onuma, county engineer at OCPW, will now head the department as the interim director.

The agency has been criticized over the past month because an OC Public Works crew, working in triple-digit heat, accidentally sparked the Airport fire while using heavy machinery to move boulders on Sept. 9, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The fire spread quickly into Riverside County, destroying vegetation and structures, including cabins and homes, along the way.

The fire is 95% contained as of Wednesday, according to authorities, however, its impact is far from over at the county. The fire reportedly destroyed 160 structures and damaged another 34, and claims have already started to roll in from residents who have had homes destroyed or had to pay for hotel stays following the mandatory evacuation order. More are expected.

Treadaway was appointed director of OC Public Works in 2020 after he worked at the county for about four years as the deputy director of OC Facilities within the public works department.

In his role, he was responsible for overseeing a $500 million capital projects portfolio along with other duties. In 2023, Treadaway collected $423,207 in pay and benefits, according to Transparent California.

Treadaway did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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