Laguna Niguel, CA – May 11: Firefighters battle the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel, CA, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. More than a dozen homes overlooking the ocean in Laguna Niguel were engulfed in flames as a fast-moving brush fire is spreading rapidly amid strong winds.
MediaNews Group/Orange County Re/MediaNews Group via Getty ImagesA terrifying scene unfolded Wednesday night as a wind-whipped wildfire tore through a high-end subdivision near Laguna Beach, Calif., destroying at least 20 homes. Firefighters continued to battle the 200-acre blaze Thursday morning and as of 7:30 a.m. there was no containment.
The Orange County Fire Authority will be giving an update on the fire at 8:30 a.m. and a live feed will be available on Facebook.
Laguna Niguel, California May 11, 2022- Firefighters battle a brush fire at Coronado Pointe in Laguna Niguel Wednesday.
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
The Coastal Fire ignited Wednesday afternoon in Aliso Woods Canyon near a water treatment plant between Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach and quickly exploded in size, the Orange County Fire Authority said. The fire grew from about 30 acres at 5 p.m. to nearly 200 within a matter of hours. Coastal winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean fanned flames and embers flew throughout the canyon, landing onto homes and igniting spot fires.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Marcio J. Sanchez/AP
Laguna Niguel, CA – May 11: Multiple homes on Pacific Island in Laguna Niguel burn in the wind whipped Costal Fire on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
MediaNews Group/Orange County Re/MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Marcio J. Sanchez/AP
Marcio J. Sanchez
The Orange County Sheriff’s is posting updated evacuation information on its website. Hundreds of homes were evacuated in Laguna Niguel Wednesday and evacuations remained in effect Thursday.
While warm, dry Santa Ana winds are notorious for driving Southern California wildfire, this blaze was fanned by chilly coastal winds. The National Weather Service forecast breezy conditions along the coast on Wednesday with isolated gusts up to 45 mph to 55 mph. The powerful winds combined with a landscape that’s parched after an unusually dry winter resulted in high risk for wildfires.
Orange County fire officials say that no injuries have been reported.
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Laguna Niguel, CA – May 11: Multiple homes on Pacific Island in Laguna Niguel burn in the wind whipped Costal Fire on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
MediaNews Group/Orange County Re/MediaNews Group via Getty Images
