Aliso Fire Fully Contained; 175 Acres Burned, 5 Injured

ALISO VIEJO, CA – The Aliso Fire, which led to multiple evacuations, was 100 percent contained Thursday night after burning through 175 acres and injuring five firefighters in the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, according to authorities.

The blaze, which began Saturday, June 2 in the park, was battled, at its peak, by 525 personnel, 11 air tankers and eight helicopters. The five injured firefighters were released after being treated for their injuries, and no homes or structures were damaged, said Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is scheduled to reopen Saturday morning, however trails damaged in the Aliso Fire will remain closed, the O.C Parks department.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park reopened Friday morning. The following trails will remain closed until further notice for fire recovery: Nature Loop, Dripping Cave and Coyote Run (south of Rock-It).

Area residents, particularly in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach, will likely see dust and ash, "but that is normal after a fire and as winds pick up," Concialdi said.

Since containment was declared Thursday at 8 p.m., the area is now turned over to O.C. Parks, Concialdi said. Park rangers will be on patrol this weekend, along with an OC Fire unit, he said, adding that anyone who sees flames should call 911.

The Aliso Fire led to mandatory evacuations Saturday in Aliso Viejo, affecting about 2,000 homes in the area of Wood Canyon and Pacific Park drives, but the orders were lifted at 9 p.m. Saturday. About 1,500 residents also were evacuated Saturday from Top of the World and the Old Top of the World neighborhoods above Laguna Beach. By Sunday, all evacuations had been lifted, but Monday classes at Top of the World Elementary School were canceled, authorities said.

And Costa Mesa High School's prom is back on for Saturday night at Soka University, according to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

The cause is under investigation. Anyone with information can call (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

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--Image courtesy of Orange County Fire Authority