Wildfire Near Laguna Beach Halted, 133 South Reopened

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The 133 Southbound toward Laguna Beach is reopened as of 4 p.m. Monday following a 20-acre brush fire near the Irvine Spectrum Center this morning. The fire forced a full closure of Route 133 for several hours, Monday before crews got the flames under control.

The blaze, which did not threaten any structures, blackened acreage just south of the shopping center, about a half-mile south of Lake Forest Drive, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Agustin Latosquin.

The fire was contained about 11 a.m., according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz, who said three helicopters and two fix-winged aircraft were involved in the firefighting effort. The flames did threaten some high-tension power lines but never affected them, he said.

The Laguna Beach 133 southbound at Laguna Canyon Road remained closed at noon. The OCFA will continue to investigate the cause of the fire that burned near the Irvine Spectrum Center today.

The road was closed due to fire suppression efforts and investigation, according to Kurtz. Firefighters worked to wet down 50-100 foot-wide perimeter and the dozers created a fire break around the burned area and are watching power lines to ensure they do not become involved in this incident.

"Approximately 20 acres burned," Kurtz said.

At 10:45 a.m. OCFA stated that no additional requests for resources needed.

The forward progression of the fire was halted thanks to the swift work of the OCFA, which, according to Kurtz, "hits hard and fast" with its vast array of resources whenever a wildfire breaks out in the county.

"Several high tension power lines in the area being watched," he said. "No structures were threatened at any time."

OCFA dozers are reinforcing the fire perimeter, working on creating a 50- to 100-foot barrier around the blaze.

"We are watching to see there are no embers or sparks," he said.

Investigators on scene are working on the cause of the vegetation fire, which took commuters by surprise at just after 9 a.m. Monday morning when the fire was initially reported.

Two fixed wing air tankers and three helicopters reported to the scene to go to work on the fire with approximately 80 OCFA personnel.

The Orange County Fire Authority set up its command post for the fire on the southbound 133, which remains closed at 10:30 a.m.

No structures were threatened, and no evacuations were listed.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is released. Please refresh this page for updates.

OCFA Photos