Laguna Beach fire - live: Hundreds ordered to evacuate as Emerald Bay blaze burns seven acres
A brush fire has prompted widespread evacuations in Laguna Beach, California, with thousands of residents urged to leave their homes immediately.
The fire broke out just after 4am Thursday in Emerald Bay, a gated community with the only private beach in the state.
People living in that neighbourhood as well as Irvine Cove are now under immediate evacuation orders, with an evacuation warning in place in North Laguna.
“Homes are currently threatened with the possibility of more structures threatened if the fire spreads,” the City of Laguna Beach said in a statement.
The fire has since spread across seven acres, fuelled by the devastatingly dry Santa Ana winds.
The cause of the blaze has not been determined.
What we know so far
15:33 , Megan Sheets
Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove were placed under immediate evacuation orders early Thursday after a brush fire was reported in the former community.
The North Laguna Beach area is also under an evacuation warning as firefighters continue working to bring the flames under control.
The blaze broke out around 4am local time and quickly spread across seven acres, fueled by high winds and dry vegetation.
The Independent’s Louise Boyle has more:
