A fast-moving brush fire in Southern California that has burned several homes prompted evacuation orders for nearby residents.
Helicopter aerials from NBC affiliate KNBC show flames from what is known as the Coastal Fire burning along the canyon area between Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo in Orange County. At an evening briefing with Southern California fire officials, a spokesperson said about 20 homes were destroyed.
KCRA 3’s Melanie Wingo went to Orange County to provide live coverage of the fire. Stay tuned here for the latest.
Watch aerials of the fire as it continued to burn through Wednesday evening.
Coastal Fire Activity
As of 10:38 p.m., the fire has burned at least 195 acres, and there is no known containment of the fire, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
The fire tore through thick brush as it burned uphill toward Aliso Summit Trail and the neighboring homes. The massive plume of smoke could be seen for miles in Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Crews have dropped fire retardant lines around the perimeter of the Coastal Fire to help slow the spread.
KCRA 3 Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan said an onshore breeze was pushing the fire up the sides of canyons.
Watch a 7:30 p.m. briefing from fire officials below.
Coastal Fire Evacuations
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the area north of Flying Cloud and Pacific Island drives to Highlands Avenue and Pacific Island Drive is under a mandatory evacuation order.
The area south of Flying Cloud and Pacific Island drives to Pacific Island Drive and Crown Valley Parkway is under an evacuation warning, the fire authority said.
When a mandatory evacuation order is issued, that means there is a legitimate threat to safety. That is the time to leave the area immediately, taking only essential valuables with you. With evacuation warnings, residents are not yet required to leave but should be cautious and ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
People in Laguna Niguel are urged to sign up for emergency alerts at www.alertoc.com and register for Nixle by texting: 92677 to 888-777.
You can see real-time evacuation areas here.
| RELATED | 2022 California Wildfire Preparedness Guide: What to know and how to stay safe
Comments