Standing under the skeleton of a giant is a weird experience. If you’ve ever driven through Orange County, specifically near the intersection of Warner and Tustin Ranch Road, you’ve seen them. Two massive, dark shapes looming over the suburban sprawl like slumbering whales. These are the Tustin hangars. But since late 2023, the skyline looks fundamentally broken. Tustin blimp hangar #2—specifically the North Hangar—isn't there anymore. Well, not really.
It’s a pile of history and toxic ash now.
Most people don't realize how big these things actually were. We’re talking seventeen stories tall. You could fit two football fields inside one and still have room for a marching band. They were built in 1942, back when the Navy needed a place to house blimps that were scouting for Japanese submarines off the California coast. They weren't just buildings. They were icons of wood engineering because, during World War II, steel was being saved for tanks and ships. So, they used Douglas Fir. Millions of feet of it.
Then it all went up in smoke.
What Really Happened at Tustin Blimp Hangar 2
The fire started in the early morning hours of November 7, 2023. It wasn't some small electrical flicker. It was a vertical inferno. Because the structure was made almost entirely of wood treated with various preservatives, it didn't just burn—it roared. By the time the Orange County Fire Authority got there, the roof was already being eaten away.
Firefighters had a nightmare on their hands. You can't just spray a hose on a seventeen-story wooden structure and expect it to go out. The height made it impossible for ground crews to reach the top, and the sheer heat created its own weather system inside the frame. Eventually, they had to make the call to just let it burn. They monitored the perimeter. They watched as a piece of American history collapsed in slow motion.
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But the fire was only the beginning of the mess.
The real problem was what was inside that wood. Back in the 40s, we didn't have the same environmental regulations we do now. The hangars were packed with lead-based paint and asbestos. As the North Hangar burned, it sent a plume of toxic smoke across Tustin, Irvine, and Santa Ana. Schools closed. People were told to stay inside. If you lived within five miles, you were basically living in a fallout zone of mid-century industrial chemicals.
The Asbestos Nightmare
This is where the story gets "kinda" dark for the locals. For weeks after the main fire was "out," the debris kept smoldering. Every time a gust of wind kicked up, more ash—potentially laced with asbestos—swirled into the neighborhood. The South Hangar (Hangar 1) stood right there, watching its twin die, while the community scrambled for answers.
The South District of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) was all over the news. They were testing samples constantly. They found asbestos in the bulk debris. That’s a scary word for anyone with kids or a backyard. The Navy, which still technically owns the land under a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) agreement, suddenly found itself in a massive cleanup operation that is still costing millions.
Why These Hangars Mattered (And Why One Still Does)
You might wonder why anyone cared about two giant wooden sheds.
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They were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They were one of the largest wooden structures ever built. But more than that, they were a Hollywood staple. If you’ve seen Pearl Harbor, The Rocketeer, or even episodes of JAG and The X-Files, you’ve seen the Tustin hangars. They were the ultimate "large scale" backdrop.
- Size: 1,088 feet long.
- Width: 297 feet wide.
- Engineering: Built without any internal support pillars.
Honestly, the engineering was a miracle. The roof was supported by massive wooden arches. When Tustin blimp hangar #2 burned, we didn't just lose a building; we lost a masterclass in 1940s craftsmanship that we literally cannot replicate today because we don't use wood that way anymore.
The Cleanup and the Cost
The City of Tustin had to declare a local emergency. This wasn't just a fire department issue; it was a public health crisis. The Navy eventually ponied up about $11 million for the initial response, but that’s pennies compared to the total environmental remediation costs.
They had to use "tackifier." It’s basically a giant spray-on glue. They coated the debris pile in it so the wind wouldn't blow the asbestos away. It looked like a giant, gray, sticky tomb. Workers in Hazmat suits became a common sight in a neighborhood usually known for high-end shopping and quiet parks.
The Fate of the South Hangar
Now everyone is looking at Hangar 1—the survivor.
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It’s still there. But it’s not in great shape. Before the fire at Hangar 2, there were already talks about what to do with these relics. They are incredibly expensive to maintain. They leak. The wood rots. But they are so beautiful in that haunting, industrial way. After the fire, the conversation shifted from "how do we preserve this?" to "is it even safe to keep the other one?"
The community is split. Some people want the remaining hangar torn down immediately to prevent another "asbestos cloud" event. Others argue that losing both would be a tragedy for California’s military history.
Lessons From the Ash
What did we learn? First, that historic preservation is expensive and risky. If you have a massive wooden structure from 1942, you have a giant tinderbox. Second, the response showed how complicated it is when the military, the city, and the county all have to share responsibility for a disaster.
The site is still a work in progress. If you visit today, you’ll see the "footprint" of Hangar 2. It’s a scar on the landscape. The concrete pillars that held the massive doors—those 120-ton steel doors—still stand, looking like ancient ruins.
Actionable Steps for Locals and Visitors
If you are following the status of the Tustin Legacy site or the remaining hangar, there are a few things you should actually do rather than just reading the headlines.
- Check the Air Quality Reports: If you live in the Tustin/Irvine area, the SCAQMD still maintains records of the air monitoring done during the fire. It’s worth looking at if you have respiratory concerns.
- Visit the Tustin Area Historical Society: They have the best archives on why these hangars were built. It’s a small museum, but they have the "real" stories from the veterans who actually worked there.
- Stay Informed on the Tustin Legacy Project: The land where the hangars sit is being turned into a massive park and housing development. The future of the remaining hangar depends on public input sessions. Show up to the city council meetings.
- Photography (From a Distance): You can’t get inside the remaining hangar—it’s fenced off and guarded—but the park nearby offers incredible views. Use a long lens. The scale is still mind-blowing.
- Don't Touch the Debris: This sounds obvious, but the area around the North Hangar site is still technically a cleanup zone. Stay on the paved paths.
The story of Tustin blimp hangar #2 isn't over. It’s moved from a story of aviation to a story of environmental recovery. It's a reminder that even the biggest things can fall, and when they do, they leave a mess that takes years to sweep up. The "Whales of Tustin" are down to one, and that survivor is more precious, and more controversial, than ever.