A wildfire raged above Laguna Beach, Calif. yesterday burning at least 20 homes and forcing residents of the upscale neighborhoods to evacuate. The fire is believed to have started around 2:45 p.m. near the South Orange County Wastewater Authority’s Coastal Treatment Plant that handles sewage for Laguna Beach, Orange County Sheriff Sgt. Scott Steinle told the local CBS news affiliate.
The power company, California Edison reportedly told California authorities that it had experienced “circuit activity” near where the fire started and was investigating. The Treatment Plant did not burn.
The fire raged in Aliso Wood Canyon between Laguna Nigel and Laguna Beach, a popular mountain biking spot in South Orange County. Video can be seen of the fire burning on the ridge line known to cyclists as “Top of the World,” which is connected to Aliso Woods Wilderness Park.
Laguna Beach local Blair Conklin shared some humbling footage of the blaze, as well as Cal Fire fighting the inferno on his Instagram stories. You can see those here.
