California wildfires - live: Homes destroyed in Laguna Beach area amid mandatory evacuations
A wildfire near Laguna Beach, California, has already destroyed 20 homes and will likely continue to ravage the region throughout the day.
The blaze — called the Coastal Fire — raged through the early morning hours on Thursday, during which time fire crews were dispatched to attempt to stop its advance.
Despite their efforts, by Thursday morning a score of homes — including five multi-million dollar mansions, one of which was listed for $10m — were left in smoldering ruins as the blaze continued to grow to around 200 acres.
The wildfire is the fueled in-part the ongoing drought conditions affecting much of the western and southwestern US. The lack of rain causes regional flora to dry out, which then creates ideal conditions to fuel wildfires.
Fire crews believe the blaze started in the Aliso Woods Canyon, which abuts one of the Laguna neighborhoods. Mandatory evacuation orders have been enacted for parts of Laguna Niguel.
16:52 , Ethan Freedman
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles is warning of increased fire conditions throughout the region over the next few days, as humidity drops and wind speeds increase
Humidities have lowered a lot this morning (see map of 24hr change). With winds pickup today, elevated fire weather conditions will persist today into the weekend. Be extra careful with anything that could start a fire. #cawx #laheat pic.twitter.com/1eOxXxFxYB
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) May 12, 2022
16:46 , Ethan Freedman
Satellites from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have captured the smoke pouring out of the fire last night
#SATELLITE SPOTLIGHT: @NOAA's #GOES17🛰️ caught the #smoke from the #CoastalFire burning in Laguna Niguel, California yesterday. This morning it was estimated that the #wildfire covered nearly 200 acres and had destroyed at least 20 homes. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/uWueJqdPW8
— NOAA Satellites - Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) May 12, 2022
16:41 , Ethan Freedman
Schools in the Laguna Beach area are still open as usual today, according to the school district
We want to thank our amazing first responders, city partners, and school community for working together to keep our families safe and updated on the Coastal Fire. At this time, all LBUSD schools and buildings will be open today. pic.twitter.com/GrGp3Lt8NC
— Laguna Beach USD (@LagunaBeachUSD) May 12, 2022
16:39 , Ethan Freedman
Lisa Bartlett, an Orange County supervisor, reports that the county is working toward getting a state emergency declared
16:37 , Ethan Freedman
Captain Virgil Ascunsion from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office estimates that around 900 homes are currently under evacuation
16:35 , Ethan Freedman
McGovern adds that damage inspection teams are currently working in the area
He reports that one firefighter has been injured
16:34 , Ethan Freedman
TJ McGovern from OCFA says that crews have worked through the night and are still out this morning, with no update on containment
16:33 , Ethan Freedman
The Orange County Fire Authority is giving an update on the fire now, streaming live on Facebook
16:30 , Ethan Freedman
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire has grown to over 400 square miles – about the size of San Antonio, Texas.
The fire has been burning for weeks now, as crews have worked to protect residents living in and around the Santa Fe National Forest
15:56 , Ethan Freedman
Last night, Chief Fennessy emphasized the role of the climate crisis in creating the conditions for this fire
“We’re seeing spread in ways we haven’t before,” he said, adding that if the vegetation hadn’t been so dry, crews could likely have contained the fire to one or two acres
The fire is now around 200 acres, about the size of 150 American Football fields
15:48 , Ethan Freedman
At a press conference last night, Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said that there were no known injuries, and around 20 structures destroyed
The fire department will be giving another update at 8:30 AM Pacific Time today
15:44 , Ethan Freedman
Airplane footage shows fire burning in the canyon and areas where fire crews are attempting to contain the fire
OCFA’s FIRIS Intel 24 on the Costal Incident. Fire is holding at 199.5 acres. Aggressive containment lines from last nights resource are holding well. pic.twitter.com/ljcRJFxTk8
— FIRIS (@FIRIS) May 12, 2022
Plumes of smoke blot out the sky above Laguna Beach neighborhoods
15:31 , Graig Graziosi
Footage from Laguna Beach shows columns of smoke from the nearby Coastal Fire rising into the sky over the neighborhood.
The fire spread in the early morning hours of Thursday and now includes more than 200 acres.
Fire in Laguna Niguel / Laguna Beach area is definitely getting bigger and pushed by the high winds right now #KTLA @KTLA pic.twitter.com/ge2Nhiv024
— Tim Wheaton (@TheTimWheaton) May 11, 2022
Welcome to the liveblog
15:29 , Graig Graziosi
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Coastal Fire, which is tearing through the ocean-side community of Laguna Beach in southern California.
The fire has grown to 200 acres as responders battle strong ocean winds and drought conditions to get a handle on the fire.