Laguna Beach • Emerald Bay • California : Fire In Orange County Today

Strong winds sparked a brush fire that forced evacuations in coastal Orange County communities early Thursday, but firefighters were able to contain the blaze and protect homes as the flames appeared to be spreading.

A hillside above Emerald Bay was reported to be on fire around 4 a.m., with an estimated 10 acres of damage. Long Beach and other parts of Southern California were able to see the flames and smoke.

Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay have been placed under mandatory evacuation. North Laguna was put on an evacuation notice.

Due to the efforts of firefighters on the ground and water-dropping aircraft, no homes have been damaged. It is expected that the fire will move away from the area, allowing firefighters to contain it to an isolated ridge line, away from the populated areas of Orange County.

Mycigna Activate Card and Login : Steps to Activate the MyCigna Card

To slow the spread of the blaze, fire retardant will be dropped from the sky.

Responded to it “with a very robust response,” Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy says. “Please evacuate if we ask you to.”

RELATED NEWS