Brush Fire Jumps To 450 Acres On Ortega Highway; Road Closures In Place, Firefighters Say

RANCHO MISSION VIEJO, CA — Firefighters Wednesday were battling a brush fire that broke out near Ortega Highway, the California Highway Patrol said.

The fire was reported just after 2 p.m. in the 34700 block of Ortega Highway in Rancho Mission Viejo and resulted in full lane closures on the mass-traversed roadway, police said.

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The brush fire was originally estimated to be three acres, but jumped to 130 acres as of 3 p.m. according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

By 3:45 p.m., the fire had jumped to 450 acres, responding fire crews told City News Service.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the blaze — dubbed the "Gibby Fire" — was estimated to be roughly two to three acres as of 2:30 p.m.

Evacuation orders were not issued as of 4 p.m., though the nearby Caspers Wilderness Park was closed while firefighters battle the quick-moving flames.

In addition, shelter-in-place orders were issued for select commercial areas threatened by the flames.

The fire prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down Ortega Highway in both directions between Rancho Mission Viejo and Lake Elsinore.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area and take alternative routes such as routes 91, 76, 78 or Interstate 5.

As of 3:15 p.m., smoke was reported visible from Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach.

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City News Service contributed to this report.