LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA – MAY 12: The sun begins to set beyond one of over 20 homes destroyed by the Coastal fire on May 12, 2022 in Laguna Niguel, California. The brush fire was fueled by windy and dry conditions amid California’s severe drought which has been compounded by climate change. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Four days after the Coastal Fire first sparked on Wednesday, hundreds of firefighters are still working to contain the blaze.
The fire, which began as a brush fire in the Aliso Woods Canyon, soon expanded to a size of 200 acres by Saturday. It has destroyed 20 homes and damaged another 11.
Hundreds of people had to evacuate after the flames raced up a hillside and into a Laguna Niguel neighborhood.
It remained at 200 acres burned as of Sunday morning.
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As of Sunday morning, the fire is 60% contained, according to the Orange County Fire Authority on Twitter.
The slow, careful containment process shrank the mandatory evacuation zone on Saturday. 769 homes were lifted from evacuation so far at that point, according to the OCFA.
A number of firefighters -- 456 in total -- remained on the scene Saturday to continue containment efforts.
The following streets are still under mandatory evacuation as of Saturday afternoon, according to the city of Laguna Niguel:
- Coronado Pointe
- Vista Court
- Via La Rosas
- Vista Montemar (Residences at 71, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80)
An evacuation center was established at the Laguna Niguel Community Center at 28751 Crown Valley Parkway, officials said Friday.
Check here for an interactive map of evacuations, road closures and shelters for the Coastal Fire in Orange County.
Authorities have yet to determine a cause of the wildfire.
Southern California Edison reported possible "circuit activity" at about the time the fire started Wednesday afternoon.
"Our thoughts are with the community members whose homes have been damaged and those who are being (or were) evacuated because of the Coastal Fire, and we are coordinating with fire agencies as needed to ensure firefighter safety," the utility said in a statement.
"Our top priority is the safety of customers, employees and communities, which is why we continue to enhance our wildfire mitigation efforts through grid hardening, situational awareness and enhanced operational practices."
