Coastal fire in Laguna Niguel: Evacuations, road closures, shelters
After breaking out Wednesday afternoon amid intense winds, the Coastal fire was still burning in the Laguna Niguel area.
Details: The fire began about 3 p.m. Wednesday in a canyon near Laguna Beach and raced uphill, reaching a subdivision at the top of the crest. Several homes caught fire at Coronado Pointe near the Aliso Summit Hiking Trail. By Thursday morning, the blaze had scorched 199 acres and destroyed at least 20 multimillion-dollar houses, according to Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy.
Mandatory evacuations: Communities around Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe are still under evacuation orders, Orange County sheriff's officials said.
The area north of Flying Cloud Drive and Pacific Island Drive to Highlands Avenue and Pacific Island Drive is under a mandatory evacuation order.
Additional mandatory evacuations are in effect for neighborhoods accessed from Niguel Road west of Highlands Avenue.
Voluntary evacuations: The area south of Flying Cloud Drive and Pacific Island Drive to Pacific Island Drive and Crown Valley Parkway is under voluntary evacuation warning.
A voluntary evacuation warning for the Balboa Nyes area in Laguna Beach has been lifted and residents may return to their homes.
Shelter: Crown Valley Community Center at 29751 Crown Valley Parkway in Laguna Niguel
Animal shelter: Mission Viejo Animal Services, 28095 Hillcrest in Mission Viejo
Road closures: People are urged to avoid the area around Pacific Island Drive and the Coronado Pointe area.
For up-to-date information, visit the Orange County Sheriff's Department's website at ocsheriff.gov/coastalfire.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
