Mansions overlooking the ocean are seen engulfed in flames near Laguna Beach in California as strong winds fuel fast-moving brush fire: Residents are ordered to evacuate
- Homes overlooking the ocean near Laguna Beach have been engulfed in flames from a fast-moving brush fire
- Dubbed the Coastal Fire, it started at 2.44pm and has, in just a few hours, spread to more than 180 acres
- It is being fueled by strong winds and has set 13 homes homes alight in the Laguna Niguel neighborhood
- Evacuations have been ordered in the areas as firefighters battle to get flames under control
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Large homes overlooking the ocean near Laguna Beach in Orange County, California, have been engulfed in flames by a fast-moving brush fire.
The blaze – dubbed the Coastal Fire – ignited near a water treatment facility between Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach at 2.44pm local time, according to ABC7, and had grown to 183 acres by 6pm.
The fire is being fueled by strong winds and has whipped across hiking trails in the hills, already engulfing 13 homes in the exclusive enclave, where properties regularly sell for millions of dollars.
The fire is not currently threatening Laguna Beach itself, but is forcing evacuations in neighboring Laguna Niguel.
Around 4pm, people living in the area of Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe were also ordered to evacuate by Orange County Sheriff’s officials. Homes along Coronado Pointe sell for $1-10 million, according to Zillow.
In addition, residents near Moulton Meadows and Balbo Nyes were advised to be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice.
Laguna Beach high school has been evacuated. There are no reports of any injuries.
Smoke is seen rising from the Coastal Fire which ignited near a water treatment facility between Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach at 2.44pm local time
A house in the pricey area is seen on fire as the blaze sweeps inland from the coast
The homes along Coronado Pointe, with their sweeping views down the valley to the ocean, sell for easily over $2 million, with several fetching $10 million according to Zillow
A home is seen engulfed in flames just a few hours after the fire ignited in Orange County, California
A large home is seen burning after the Coastal Fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon. Residents have been told to evacuate
A fire truck is seen at the scene of the fire. Water-dropping helicopters are being used to try and fight the fire
Brian Fennessy, fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, told ABC 7 Los Angeles television that his team was trying to save as many homes as they could.
‘It’s all about defending the homes that have not already burned,’ Fennessy said from the scene.
‘The firefighters behind me are really putting on an aggressive fight.’
Fennessy said he expected winds to die down after sunset, which would help slow the spread, and that there were no other major fires in Southern California, enabling firefighters from the area to concentrate their resources on Laguna Niguel.
The hilltop city of about 65,000 people is just inland from the coastal city of Laguna Beach about 50 miles south of Los Angeles.
Dry brush covers the surrounding hills and canyons, as California experiences historic drought.
Evacuations have been ordered in the area as authorities work to get the flames under control. Water-dropping helicopters are being used to try and fight the fire.
Luxury resort and golf course – The Ranch at Laguna Beach – has been evacuated.
Smoke could reportedly be seen for miles and the fire is zero percent contained.
‘I think everyone is aware we had a fire break out today near the Ranch,’ said Mike Garcia, the Laguna Beach fire chief.
‘It was a wind-driven fire. And since it started around 3 o’clock today it’s gone eastward.
‘It’s becoming a pretty big fire, burning several homes in the city of Laguna Niguel.
‘I want to tell our community that the city of Laguna Beach is safe. We don’t expect any changes.
‘But we want all of our residents to remain vigilant, be prepared, be aware.’
He said they would notify residents of any changes, but people should be prepared to ‘react quickly’.
This is a developing story, more to follow.
Evacuations have been ordered in the area as authorities work to get the flames under control
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