Forward Progress Stopped On 200+ Acre Gibby Fire But Ortega Highway Still Closed

RANCHO MISSION VIEJO, CA — Firefighters on Wednesday were battling a brush fire that broke out near Ortega Highway, authorities 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.

The brush fire — dubbed the "Gibby Fire" was originally reported to be 450 acres, though firefighters later revised the size to 216 acres.

As of about 7:30 p.m., forward progress on the blaze was stopped at around 216 acres and all shelter-in-place orders had been lifted, although Ortega Highway remained closed from Gateway Place to Grand Avenue in Riverside County, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. As of 11:35 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was still at 0 percent containment.

Crews will continue to work the fire for the next few days, according to the authority.

Shelter-in-place orders had been issued for select commercial areas threatened by the blaze and the nearby Caspers Wilderness Park was closed while firefighters battled the quick-moving flames.

State Route 74 eastbound was also shut down at Avenida La Pata at the Riverside County line, with Rancho Carrillo Road also closed, officials said Wednesday afternoon.

Drivers had been 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.

City News Service contributed to this report.