LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — A large brush fire sparked in Laguna Beach early Thursday morning, thanks to a combination of strong winds and unseasonably high temperatures. Hundreds of evacuations have been ordered as a result.
The fire was first reported shortly after 4 a.m., according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), and is situated in the affluent Emerald Bay community.
Mandatory evacuation orders for the Emerald Bay, Irvine Cove and North Coast Communities were reduced to warnings around 3 p.m., with city officials warning residents to be on alert for possible re-evacuation. An evacuation warning remains in effect.
"OCFA is reporting the Emerald Fire is now estimated at 10% containment and 150 acres in size," city officials said in a statement Thursday. "At this time, there are no major threats to region and no reports of structure loss. Laguna Beach Fire and Police will be patrolling overnight at Irvine Cove to perform fire watch in the area to watch for hot spots."
OCFA patrols will continue to watch over the unincorporated Emerald Bay area and neighboring state parks will remain closed, the city said.
Several schools closed earlier in the day as a result of the fire, including all schools in North Laguna. Residents have been urged to contact the Laguna Beach Unified School District for additional information on school closures.
The fire also prompted closure of the Pacific Coast Highway in both directions between Ledroit Street and El Morro Bay. Those closures have now been lifted and reopened to traffic.
O.C. Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy addressed the public in a morning news briefing.
"We've got almost an engine in front of every home -- that's how robust the response was," Fennessy said. "It was really the north end of Emerald Bay ... an unincorporated area of Orange County. So, the fire literally was pushed north along the edges of those homes on the northern edge, and so they were not directly impacted."
Winds were forecasted to die down Thursday afternoon, could "pick right up again," Fennessy said, adding that firefighters were closely monitoring conditions.
"And so, our biggest concern would be that fire moving north, jumping where we've got it held right now, and moving north towards Newport Beach," Fennessy said. "I'm satisfied with the number of resources we have at scene, and we have en route; and at this time, I'm feeling pretty confident we've got a pretty good handle on this fire right now."
Related
