Laguna Beach neighborhood keeps watchful eye as Coastal fire spreads

As nightfall approached Wednesday, residents of affected neighborhoods in Laguna Beach kept a watchful eye over the efforts to fight the Coastal fire, which broke out in Laguna Niguel’s Aliso Canyon during the afternoon.

Laguna Beach city officials issued a voluntary evacuation advisory at about 4:25 p.m. for the Balboa-Nyes (Portafina) neighborhood. The fire had grown to almost 200 acres by shortly before 6 p.m. and destroyed at least 20 homes in neighboring Laguna Niguel. The evacuation order was lifted as of 8:35 p.m.

In the eyes of those taking in the proceedings from a ridge along the outskirts of Moulton Meadows Park, fire authorities were on top of the task at hand.

Jorge and Marcy Avila of Laguna Beach were among the observers at the park. Jorge said a police vehicle rolled by their house in Arch Beach Heights announcing the voluntary evacuation warning. Marcy Avila added that they packed up some things and visited the park to see what they were dealing with.

“We were in Newport Beach when this all happened, and we got our Nixle text,” Marcy Avila said. “As we were coming home, the Huntington Beach fire captain was driving down, so they’re on it, but it’s up to Mother Nature.”

Airplanes soared in from above to drop fire retardant on the burning brush, aiming to contain the flames. Helicopters continuously made the trek between the city’s water refilling tank and the cloud of smoke to the southeast end of the canyon, pouring water on the fire.

The fire that longtime residents most frequently bring up when talking about fire danger is the Laguna Beach fire of 1993. Marcy Avila referenced that devastating blaze when she said she would likely lose sleep over Wednesday’s fire.

“It’s going to keep me up,” she said.

A police officer stopped to check traffic heading up the hill on Nyes Place. Bob Chesley, a resident of Laguna Beach for 40 years, said a change in the wind could bring cause for concern for the city’s residents.

“If the wind shifted blowing north, it would come over the ridge,” Chesley said. “Then we would be in jeopardy. The wind’s blowing south, so everything is going south.”

With sirens blaring, additional firefighting personnel rolled into town via Coast Highway, several fire vehicles heading through the entrance to the Ranch.

Residents in the area were encouraged to make preparations in the event of a mandatory evacuation. People were also encouraged to avoid the area and take alternate routes.

Evacuation orders were also issued in the Coronado Pointe Drive, Vista Court and Via Las Rosa in the Pacific Island area of Laguna Niguel, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and fire officials confirmed a care and reception center for evacuees had been opened at the Crown Valley Community Center.

Both the local fire department and the Orange County Fire Authority initially responded to the fire at around 3 p.m. Authorities confirmed at 5:56 p.m. that about 60 different resources were present at the scene. Early reports indicated the fire broke out near the SOCWA Coastal Treatment Plant in Laguna Niguel.

Laguna Beach spokeswoman Cassie Walder said Wednesday evening there was currently no threat to Laguna Beach from the fire, but said in a statement that residents should remain vigilant.

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