Red-flag warnings out as winds rise

High wind advisories were in effect in coastal Orange County most of the week until today, but red flag conditions had abated by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

In Laguna Beach, red flags, indicating dangerous fire conditions, were still up at fire stations and other locations Thursday. On “red flag” days, local volunteers scan wilderness areas to spot fires.

A large eucalyptus tree was downed on Forest Avenue, and a magnolia blew over at Main Beach due to the high winds Monday and Tuesday.

Buses were deployed Monday to Top of the World Elementary School for possible evacuations during the height of the windstorm but were not needed, school officials said. The buses were not deployed Tuesday.

A brush fire in Bonita Canyon in Newport Beach scorched about 35 acres Monday, and caused concern in Laguna as Newport Beach and Costa Mesa firefighters battled for nearly two hours to contain the blaze. Laguna firefighters were also called to help quell the blaze.

Three helicopters helped douse the blaze, which started about 3:30 p.m., while firefighters from several cities raced to the canyon as Santa Ana winds powered the flames up the hillside. The blaze was contained about 5:15 p.m.

Three hundred Newport residents were evacuated with two homes sustaining minor damage. All residents were allowed back in by 6 p.m., officials said.

Firefighters could not immediately identify the cause of the blaze.

Earlier in the week, wind-whipped fires spread through northeast Los Angeles, where firefighters worked since mid-day Sunday to fight wildfires. Evacuations were ordered and some 3,000 homes were threatened, according to news reports.

Fire officials in Laguna Beach had warned last week of several arson fires that have been reported near the San Diego Freeway at Highway 133, City Manager Ken Frank reported in his Oct. 10 weekly update.

Last year at this time, Orange County areas to the east of Laguna Beach were devastated by wildfires.

A wildfire was reported Thursday in the Cleveland National Forest in eastern Orange County.

“” Joseph Serna contributed to this story.