At least 20 multimillion dollar mansions went up in flames in Orange County, California, on Wednesday afternoon as a fast-moving brush fire engulfed expansive homes overlooking the Pacific.
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 almost 200 acres by 8pm.
The strong winds have been blowing across the hills to fuel the flames. 20 homes are already incinerated in the exclusive enclave. Properties in this area regularly fetch millions of dollars.
Laguna Beach isn’t currently at risk from the fire, however evacuations are being ordered in Laguna Niguel.
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett stated that the entire area is focused right now on the fire to ensure we have every available fire engine in the region to douse the flames.
On Wednesday night, a Laguna Niguel firefighter extinguishes the flames.
Strong winds fancied the flames which rose from the valley’s brush.
Firefighters attempted to stop the Coastal Fire Wednesday night and rescue as many people as they could.
Mansions that are located along the canyon can be purchased for as high as $1,000,000, and some even exceed $6 million.
Costa Mesa Fire Department Firefighter Nick Cerciello battles to put out the flames
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. According to Zillow, Coronado Pointe homes sell for between $1-10,000,000
The roof of a $6.6 million mansion with four bedrooms and seven bathrooms at 35 Coronado Pointe was completely engulfed in flames. The walls and adjacent properties were saved by firefighters.
An explosion was heard from one house, believed to have been the result of ammunition exploding.
Residents in the vicinity of Moulton Meadows, Balbo Nyes and Balbo Rives were told to prepare to flee at all costs. The evacuation alert was lifted shortly before 10pm.
Laguna Beach high school was evacuated. As of 10:00 PM local time, there are no injuries.
On Wednesday night, you can see the charred remains of Laguna Niguel’s house.
The hillside is sprayed with retardant sprays by firefighters to put out the fire.
Helicopters used to control the fire can see smoke rising Wednesday afternoon
One building was completely damaged in the fire that tore through the region just before 3pm.
Brian Fennessy is the Orange County Fire Authority’s fire chief. He stated to ABC 7 Los Angeles that his team was working hard to save as many as homes as possible.
Fennessy, speaking from the scene said that it was all about “defending homes that haven’t already been burned”.
“The firefighters in front of me are really fighting an aggressive battle.”
Fennessy indicated at a Wednesday evening press conference that he expects winds to calm down after sunset. This would aid in slowing the spread.
This hilltop community of 65,000 residents is located just 50 miles from Los Angeles in Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach is home to many famous people over the years, including Bette Davis, Ryan Murphy (screenwriter, producer) and Bette Midler, as well as Diane Keaton.
California is experiencing a drought that has left dry brush covering the hills and canyons.
Fennessy stated, “Unfortunately, I believe this is what will be experienced over the next few weeks and years.”
“The vegetation is so dried that it doesn’t take much to get the fire started and burned very fast.”
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
It started at 2:44 and quickly spread to an area famous for its hike trails and breathtaking ocean views.
Firefighters focused on trying to save as many of the surrounding communities as possible and limit the destruction to homes worth millions.
The blaze that sweeps in from the coast to the interior of the country is catching 35 Coronado Pointe (a $6.6million home) on fire.
With their breathtaking views of the ocean and valley, Coronado Pointe homes sell easily for more than $2 million. Some even fetch $10 million according Zillow.
Laguna Niguel firefighters are seen using water cannons to save Laguna Niguel’s burning house.
Within a matter of hours, an Orange County fire has set off a house on fire.
The Coastal Fire erupted on Tuesday afternoon and this large residence is now in flames. Residents are being asked to leave.
On the spot of the fire, a firetruck can be seen. To fight the flames, water-dropping helicopters will be used.
As authorities try to put out the flames, evacuations have been called. To fight the flames, water-dropping helicopters will be used.
The Ranch of Laguna Beach is now a luxurious resort and golf club.
The fire could be visible for miles, and it is reported that smoke can also be seen from far away.
Mike Garcia from Laguna Beach, fire chief said, “I believe everyone knows that there was a fire near Ranch today.”
“It was wind-driven fire. Since it began at around 3 o’clock in the morning, it has been moving eastward.
“It is a very large fire that has burned many homes in Laguna Niguel.
“I would like to inform Laguna Beach’s community that Laguna Beach is safe. No changes are expected.
“But, however, we ask all residents to stay vigilant and be ready, be aware.
Although he said that they will notify the residents about any changes made, he advised people to be ready to “react fast”.
You can see the smoke rising towards Coronado Pointe from along the rim.
This exclusive street overlooks the ocean, and homes were all set on fire.
Authorities are trying to put the fire under control. Evacuations were ordered.
Massive smoke plumes rise in the atmosphere around Laguna Niguel, California’s Orange County.
Both ground crews and aerial personnel from Laguna Beach Fire Department and Orange County Fire Authority were on the scene to extinguish flames that had been moving uphill in light and moderately dense foliage.
Winds up to 20 MPH were blowing in the region, according Mark Moede of the National Weather Service.
Moede, who was speaking at around 5pm, said that the gusts were as high as 25 miles per hour when the fire started.
“It will remain breezy for about an hour, but it should cool down as soon as the sun sets below the horizon.”
On February 24, the Emerald Fire, which was the last significant fire in the region, took place.
It burned for about 150 acres, before being extinguished.
These three first months of 2022 were the dryest on record.
Gavin Newsom (the governor of California) responded to Tuesday’s announcement by promising to spend $100 millions on a state-wide advertising campaign encouraging water conservation.
It will use traditional TV and radio ads, but it will also pay large social media followings to help others save water.
He promised that he would spend $211million to help conserve water in the state government buildings, replacing faucets and irrigation controls.
Los Angeles is the 2nd most populous US city. Mayor Eric Garcetti stated that businesses and residents would need to decrease the frequency of outdoor landscaping watering, which was previously three days per semaine.
The city uses 35 percent of its water from irrigation.
California’s urban water use is a very small proportion of California’s total water use, compared to California’s agriculture. The state’s farmers also have suffered as federal and state officials reduced some water allocations.
The state’s rainfally season ends in March so demand for water that is not used by agriculture tends to be low. Sometimes it rains so heavily in March, that it almost makes up the difference for the whole year. Officials have called this phenomenon the “March miracle.”
California was blessed with just 12 inches of rainfall in March. Meanwhile, the weather was warmer than average and resulting in an increase water consumption.
Since March, things have been slightly improved by a series of April storms.
However, many of the state’s reservoirs still remain below their historical averages.
For the summer, the reservoirs are dependent on melting snow from Sierra Nevada. As of April 1, the state’s snowpack had fallen to just 27% of its historical average.
“This is all we have. We’ll get this. Jeanine Jones is the manager of interstate resources at California Department of Water Resources. “We cannot expect anything to change after this date,” she said.
Officials from the state stated that 20 percent of wells monitored are experiencing all-time low levels of water, and nearly half have below 10 percent of historical averages.
Sometimes, water is being hauled by the state to communities in remote areas that do not have it. According to state officials, 687 families were being assisted by a community drought relief program.
Other large communities could also be in danger.
Lindsay in California’s Central Valley is home to approximately 13,000 people. On July 1, it was expected that Lindsay would run dry of water.
Federal officials have approved an extra allocation to the city. They now believe that enough water will be available to sustain them through February, provided they conserve.