Wealthy Laguna Beach residents have been ordered to evacuate as a massive brush fire fueled by strong 30mph Santa Ana winds and hot temperatures in the 80s threatens their million-dollar homes.
The Emerald Fire, first reported at 4 a.m. on Thursday, has burned through an estimated 145 acres on a hillside above the gated community Emerald Bay, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
Flames and smoke could be seen from Long Beach and other parts of Southern California.
The fire is currently 5 percent contained and has prompted an evacuation order for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay, as well as an evacuation warning for North Laguna.
The fire has been fueled by hot temperatures in Los Angeles, where a heat advisory was issued from Wednesday through Sunday evening by the National Weather Service.
Temperatures in the region were expected to rise into the high 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, and the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory, warning of northeast winds between 15 and 20 mph with gusts up to 30mph, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Firefighters have stopped the fire from spreading to the luxurious Laguna Beach neighborhood, known for its cliffs, coves and scenic seven-mile coastline. The pricey area, located in the seaside Orange County community about 55 miles away from Hollywood, was once home to stars such as Rock Hudson, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Rudolph Valentino and Bette Davis.
The average home in Laguna Beach is valued at $2,908,275, according to Zillow.
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Firefighters have stopped the fire from spreading to the luxurious Laguna Beach neighborhood, known for its cliffs, coves and scenic seven-mile coastline
Firefighters watch as a helicopter drops water the Emerald Fire which has burned through 145 acres as of Thursday afternoon
A plane drops retardant on a wildfire near Laguna Beach homes. So far firefighters have been able to keep flames from damaging homes
Firefighters hard at work containing the flames. Fire fighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched two water-dropping helicopters to assist in the firefight and CAL Fire sent in six air tankers
The fire is currently 5 percent contained and has prompted an evacuation order for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay, as well as North Laguna
Currently no homes have been damaged.
All Laguna Beach School District schools were closed on Thursday, as well as the Anneliese private schools.
The Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center and Irvine’s Los Olivos Community Center are being utilized as care and reception sites for evacuees.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatched two water-dropping helicopters to assist in the firefight and CAL Fire sent in six air tankers.
Orange County fire officials said fire-retardants will be dropped along the ridge line to halt the fire’s spread toward residential areas, NBC Los Angeles reported.
‘We met it with a very robust response,’ said Orange Count Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. ‘If we ask you to evacuate, please evacuate.’
The chief said the plan is to use the air tankers to pretreat the ridgeline between north Emerald Bay and Newport Beach with retardant in order to hold the fire on the ridge, CBS Los Angeles reported.
The Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center and Irvine’s Los Olivos Community Center have been utilized as care and reception sites for evacuees
The fire has prompted an evacuation order for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay, as well as an evacuation warning for North Laguna
Two firefighters observe as a helicopter drops water on the Emerald Fire, which has burned through 145 acres on Thursday
The Emerald Fire burns cactus in Laguna Beach on Thursday as firefighters continue to battle the blaze intensified by strong winds and high temperatures
An aerial view of the smoke from Thursday’s Emerald Fire which broke out at around 4 am and has burned through 145 acres
Flames and smoke could be seen from Long Beach and other parts of Southern California
The Emerald Fire, first reported at 4am on Thursday, has burned through an estimated 145 acres on a hillside above the gated community Emerald Bay
The fire has been fueled by hot temperatures in Los Angeles, where a heat advisory was issued from Wednesday through Sunday evening by the National Weather Service
‘The winds are expected is to continue to blow over the next few days,’ Fennessy said.
‘The fire is moving north. The fire skirted along the north end of Emerald Bay. It is moving towards the Newport Beach area, it’s still a long way from Newport Beach. It’s hung up on the ridgeline, I guess it would be the north side of Emerald Bay.’
Fennessy said he is optimistic that the fire will burn away from the area after the flames were pushed north by wind along the northern edge of a residential area.
‘We got lucky in that regard,’ Fennessy said. ‘I’m pretty confident right now, as long as the weather cooperates.
‘The bulk of the fire is away from the structures,’ he added.
Mid to high 80 degree weather is expected through the rest of the week in the Los Angeles area – just in time for this Sunday’s Super Bowl, taking place at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, NBC News reported.
The 80 degree weather is up to 20 degrees above normal highs, National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Sirard told NBC News.
NWS Los Angeles warned that high temperatures could lead to heat-related illnesses for the homeless, outdoor workers and infants.
NWS has issued an heat advisory until Sunday afternoon, warning thee mid- to upper 80 degree weather could lead to a potential increase in heat-related illnesses
Orange Count Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said the plan is to use air tankers to pretreat the ridgeline between north Emerald Bay and Newport Beach with retardant in order to hold the fire on the ridge
The heat wave is a result of a high-pressure system that has been camped out over the West Coast since the beginning of February. This ridging pattern spurs strong Santa Ana winds which are known for bringing hot air into Los Angeles and surrounding areas from the nearby desert regions, CNN reported.
That heat combined with isolated winds of up to 60 mph are the perfect conditions for wildfires to thrive in the area.
‘Not only do we have the dry conditions, we have the dry vegetation, we haven’t had a lot of rain at all the last couple of weeks… And then you pair that with these gusty winds, and then that fire just kind of grew, so fast. And then we’re dealing with more of these winds right now, and then it’s warm right now,’ CBS2 Meteorologist Amber Lee said.