First responders have stopped a brush fire that prompted evacuations in Southern California, authorities said, putting residents on edge after a series of blazes devastated the region earlier this year.
The fire began in the city of Laguna Beach at about 2:15 p.m. local time on July 7 and grew to four acres, threatening nearby homes, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, though an active investigation is underway.
Laguna Beach, a tony Southern California city known for its vibrant beach scene and art gallery district, is about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. It has a population of more than 22,500 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Crews halted the fire from expanding further at 5 p.m., Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi confirmed at a news conference. Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Sean Doran said the forward progress was stopped at about four acres, the Orange County Register reported.
The fire is not fully contained, with Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King adding that crews expect to battle the blaze for the next 24 to 48 hours. He clarified that hand crews would be working through the night to prevent reignition.
“They have to go through meticulously and put out all the embers. They’ve lined the entire perimeter of the fire with a hose line and they’re going to make sure they start working from the outside in,” King said.
By around 7:30 p.m. local time, the City of Laguna Beach announced that all evacuation orders due to the fire had been lifted. The city advised residents to return to their homes with caution as firefighting personnel and resources were still working in the area.
The city also reported that there was intermittent loss of power in the area, which was estimated to return at about 9:30 p.m. All public roadways are open as of the evening of July 7, according to Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert.
“We’re working toward containment so this fire doesn’t take off again within a couple of days,” King said at the news conference.
Rounaghi said officials will review the situation and discuss how the city could prepare for future blazes, adding: “The question is not if but when the next wildfire happens.”
“We have to continue to remain vigilant and learning for best practices of how we keep everyone safe in this community,” he said.
Laguna Beach officials have spent $25 million over the past several years in compliance with a 2019 fire mitigation plan, the Los Angeles Times reported. Following the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County earlier this year, city officials updated the plan and aim to improve fire safety.
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