Ortega Highway Closes Due To Brush Fire

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — A three- to five-acre brusher Thursday in San Juan Capistrano prompted the evacuation of a laboratory, but it was quickly contained and there were no injuries or structures damaged.

Orange County firefighters responded to the blaze at 2:32 p.m. off Lucas Canyon Road and Ortega Highway, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Ben Gonzales.

Firefighters kept the flames from damaging Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, 33608 Ortega Highway, which had to be evacuated, Gonzales said.

Before 4 p.m., firefighters were in "mop-up mode" and had stopped forward progress, Gonzales said.

Ortega Highway was closed in both directions due to the fire, and according to the California Patrol the roadway is expected to remain closed until at least 6 p.m.

—City News Service contributed to this report.