Evacuation Ordered After Santa Ana Winds Fuel Massive California Fire

A brush fire broke out and quickly turned dangerous in Laguna Beach California Thursday. Residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes, which are in jeopardy from the massive blaze.

Irvine Cove and both North and South Emerald Bay are under an immediate evacuation order, according to the City of Laguna Beach. The fire was reported at 4:09 a.m. Thursday morning as a vegetation fire in Emerald Bay. The powerful Santa Ana winds spread the fire across seven acres in less than two hours, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

Both directions of Coast Highway were closed as of Thursday morning. An evacuation warning has also been issued for all of North Laguna.

Schools are closed in North Laguna.

OCFA crews are currently fighting the fire both on the ground and in the air using water-dropping helicopters.