Brush Fire Forces Evacuations in Laguna Beach

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Firefighters use both ground and aerial support to battle the Rancho fire in Laguna Beach.

News Summary

A rapidly developing brush fire known as the Rancho fire sparked in Laguna Beach, leading to the evacuation of about 100 homes in the Arch Beach Heights area. The fire, which threatened residences near Morningside Drive and Rancho Laguna Road, was contained to approximately four acres by firefighters utilizing aerial support. Thankfully, there was no structural damage reported, and evacuation orders were lifted later in the evening. The incident is under investigation, with authorities suspecting that fireworks may have ignited the flames.

Laguna Beach experienced a rapidly developing brush fire, referred to as the Rancho fire, which ignited at approximately 2:15 p.m. on Monday. The fire started near the intersection of Morningside Drive and Rancho Laguna Road, situated north of Fernando Street Park. Approximately 100 residences in the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood were placed under evacuation orders as the fire threatened homes in the area.

Evacuation orders specifically affected residential streets including La Mirada Street, Katella Street, Summit Drive, and Baja Street. Firefighters successfully halted the fire’s forward progress around 5 p.m., containing the blaze to about four acres. A significant effort involving air support was utilized, with five helicopters and one plane deployed to combat the flames, which helped in slowing down the fire’s spread.

Mild winds aided firefighters in their efforts, according to officials. The Mayor of Laguna Beach stated that prior fuel-reduction work in the area contributed positively to firefighting operations. By 7:34 p.m., evacuation orders were lifted, though residents were advised to return home cautiously due to ongoing firefighting efforts. A Care and Reception center was established at the Community & Susi Q Center located at 380 3rd Street to assist displaced residents.

Witnesses reported hearing loud booms similar to fireworks just prior to the fire starting, leading authorities to suspect that fireworks may have ignited the fire. Fortunately, no structural damage was reported as a result of this incident, as confirmed by the Laguna Beach Fire Chief. Meanwhile, traffic congestion and gridlock occurred on the Coast Highway as emergency vehicles accessed the area, resulting in temporary road closures and significant disruptions near the Montage Resort, where southbound vehicles were redirected away from the fire zone.

In response to the fire, Southern California Edison shut off power to nearby homes, with service expected to be restored by approximately 9:30 p.m. At the time of the incident, the National Weather Service reported conditions of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, 80% relative humidity, and winds at 4-6 mph. As of the latest updates, no arrests or citations related to the fire had been made.

In summary, the Rancho fire in Laguna Beach resulted in the evacuation of around 100 residences but was contained without any structural damage. Firefighting efforts were supported by aerial resources, and factors such as mild winds were beneficial. While authorities suspect fireworks as the cause, ongoing investigations are expected to clarify the situation further.