A brush fire that may have been ignited by fireworks scorched about three acres in Laguna Beach Monday, threatening homes and prompting evacuation orders, but there were no reports of injuries.
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The blaze broke out at around 2:15 p.m. near Rancho Laguna Road and Morningside Drive and moved uphill, driven by the thick brush, fire authorities said. Fire crews were positioned to protect structures along Summit Drive and at Ensenada Avenue and Miramar Street. Forward progress of the blaze was halted just before 5:15 p.m., Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Sean Doran said.
"We're making tremendous progress," Doran said, adding the air attack helped slow the flames.
The mild winds also helped, but the topography remained an issue as the flames marched uphill toward residents, Doran said.
An evacuation order was issued for residents on Summit Drive and La Mirada, Katella and Baja streets, according to city officials. An evacuation warning was issued for the area south of Del Mar in Arch Beach Heights.
Residents were directed to an evacuation center at the Community and Susi Q Center at 380 Third St.
Northbound lanes on Pacific Coast Highway were closed at Crown Valley Parkway and southbound lanes were closed at Broadway with traffic diverted to Laguna Canyon Road. This was done to help residents evacuate the hillside neighborhoods.
Traffic headed into the city on Laguna Canyon Road was also closed.
The cause of the fire was not confirmed, but Mayor Alex Rounaghi said in a video update posted on social media that the fire was "suspected to be caused by fireworks." No other details were immediately released.
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