Assistant Fire Chief TJ McGovern told reporters Thursday one firefighter was hurt battling the blaze.
The cause of the fire wasn't known, but Southern California Edison disclosed that it had told state officials of"circuit activity" in the area where the blaze broke out as it erupted.
Officials said the flames began as a 50-by-50 foot vegetation fire but grew in a hurry, aided by ocean winds, and advanced toward high-dollar hillside estates overlooking the Pacific. At least five multimillion-dollar houses were scorched. One was a mansion listed for $10 million.Marcio J. Sanchez / AP
Officials said the area's steep terrain was making it difficult to run hose lines and get ground crews where they needed to be. Fixed-wing planes dropping fire retardant and water-dropping helicopters were being used. "We have the entire region focused on this fire right now to make sure we have every fire engine available in the area to put this fire out," Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said.
Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said during a news conference Wednesday night,"Unfortunately, I think this is what we're going to be experiencing over the next several weeks and years. The vegetation is so dry it is not taking much for the fire to take off running and burn very quickly." A firefighter works to extinguish flames from a wildfire on May 11, 2022, in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Photos: Wildfire tears through 20 homes in Laguna NiguelA 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.
Read more »
Fire burns at least 20 homes in wealthy California town of Laguna NiguelWildfire fueled by exceedingly dry brush swept through the wealthy Southern California enclave of Laguna Niguel on Wednesday, destroying about 20 homes while scorching some 200 acres (80 hectares) and forcing evacuations, officials said.
Read more »
LIVE: At least 20 homes destroyed as 200-acre fire in Laguna Niguel forces evacuationsFire officials believe a total of 20 structures in Laguna Niguel were destroyed Wednesday as a fast-moving brush fire spread rapidly amid strong winds.
Read more »
Coastal fire: What homes are worth in Laguna Hills neighborhood where 20 homes burnedHomes on Vista Court near the fire’s devastation are worth $4 million to $10 million.
Read more »
Evacuations Ordered as at Least 20 Homes Burn in Coastal Fire in Laguna NiguelUPDATE: Evacuations were ordered as at least 20 homes burned in Laguna Niguel in Southern California, where a wildfire fanned by ocean winds scorched a brush-covered hillside.
Read more »
LIVE UPDATES: Coastal Fire destroys at least 20 homes in Laguna NiguelUPDATE: Based on latest numbers late last night, CoastalFire has destroyed at least 20 homes in Laguna Niguel and burned at least 195 acres with no containment. SoCal Edison confirms 'circuit activity' around the time the fire sparked.
Read more »