UPDATE: North Zone Strike Team and an OES Strike Team are on their way home from Coastal Fire

UPDATE; 05-14-22 11:30 am

The North Zone Strike Team and an OES Strike Team are on their way home from the Laguna Niguel Coastal Fire, according to John Choi, spokesman for North County Fire Protection District.

North Zone Strike Team consists of NCFPD, Vista, Carlsbad, Rincon, Pala and Rancho Santa Fe. Choi said NCFPD also deployed two engines to assist with the Costal Fire. Both engines have returned.

The OES Strike Team had two north San Diego fire agencies, Vista Fire and North County Fire Protection District.

Four hundred fifty-six firefighters remain on scene. The evacuation order has been lifted for 769 homes.

There are still hazards in the Coastal Fire areas and other crews are mitigating the hazards so residents can return.

It’s important to stay away from the area until the all-clear announcement is given. Fire crews and deputies are still actively working to rid the area of hazards.

To date, the Coastal Fire is 40% contained. Twenty homes have perished, 11 are damaged. The fire is still reported to be 200 acres.

UPDATE: 7:15 pm May 13, 2022

Coastal Fire 40% contained

Firefighters have the Laguna Nigel Coastal Fire at 40% containment.

A spokesman for the firefighters thanks all the communities for their support.

To date, 20 homes have been destroyed and 11 damaged.

The evacuation zone is still occupied by firefighters and deputies. Those homeowners returning to the area are asked to proceed with extreme caution to protect lives.

Coastal Fire update as of 7:52 pm Thursday, May 12

Firefighters have the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel 15% contained, according to the Orange County Fire Department as relayed to North County Fire Department spokesman John Choi.

Two firefighters were injured but have been released from the hospital, the report stated.

So far, 20 homes have been destroyed and 11 homes damaged.

The North Zone Strike Team from North San Diego County has several engines and firefighters battling the blaze. They are part of the 550 firefighters fighting the blaze to save people, pets, homes, and buildings.

The North Strike Team consists of North County Fire Protection District, Vista, Carlsbad, Rincon, Pala, and Rancho Santa Fe.

North County sends its North Zone Strike Team to Laguna Niguel to fight Coastal Fire

North Zone Strike teams are in Laguna Niguel as of Thursday, May 12, helping to fight the Coastal Fire.

North Zone Strike Teams are North County Fire Protection District, Vista, Rancho Santa Fe, Rincon, Pala, and Carlsbad.

NCFPD Spokesman John Choi said the Coastal Fire has burned 200 acres. There are 550 firefighters on the fire. Several structures have been destroyed or damaged. NCFPD has two of its own Strike Teams in Laguna They sent the Office of Emergency Services lime green engine and one of NCFPD's engines to the fire.

"They are making good progress," Choi said. "There are still a lot of hot spots. And they get the winds in the afternoon that are a big litmus."

20 homes lost in 200 acre Laguna Niguel fire

Last updated 5/11/2022 at 10:05pm

LAGUNA NIGUEL (CNS) - A wind- and terrain-driven fire chewed through at least 200 acres of brush in Aliso Wood Canyon between Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach today, then marched relentlessly through an enclave of multimillion-dollar estates on the hillside overlooking the ocean, destroying at least 20 homes.

NCFPD PIO John Choi said Fallbrook has sent two engines and a strike team was sent from the north zone.

The Coastal Fire was reported at 2:44 p.m., Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Sean Doran said. The fire originated near the South Orange County Wastewater Authority's Coastal Treatment Plant, which handles sewage for the Laguna Beach area, said Orange County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Scott Steinle.

The fire was estimated to be about three acres as of 3:30 p.m., but spread to at least 30 acres by 5 p.m. Thirty minutes later, the OCFA put the blaze at 150 acres with no containment. Crews on scene estimated the size at about 200 acres by 6:15 p.m.

The flames spread quickly as they tore through thick brush on the hillside, aided by ocean winds that sparked spot fires ahead of the main blaze.

The fire pushed its way uphill, advancing on Aliso Summit Trail and into the neighboring multimillion-dollar estates.

Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said at a Wednesday night news conference that an estimated 20-plus homes had been destroyed. The flames crested a hilltop and advanced into an exclusive neighborhood, swallowing homes along La Vue and Coronado Pointe near the Aliso Summit Trail.

Sara Nuss-Galles, who lives on Via Estoril, told the Los Angeles Times

she watched the fire grow for more than an hour before she evacuated the area.

``My clothes smell from the hour I spent in the house,'' Nuss-Galles told The Times. ``It's just plumes of smoke. It's very scary.''

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The flames advanced even as fixed-wing planes dropped fire retardant on the hillside in hopes of slowing the advance of the flames. Several water-dropping helicopters were also being employed in the firefight.

Evacuations were ordered in the Coronado Pointe and Pacific Island

Drive areas, while voluntary evacuation orders were issued in the Balboa Nyes

and Moulton Meadows neighborhoods in Laguna Beach. Students taking part in

after-school activities at Laguna Beach High School were also evacuated, according to the school district.

Deputies were asking residents on San Simeon, Sierrra Vista, Alta Terra, Nucella, Serana, Avante, Tanarron, Teracina, Islands Avenue, Capri Court, Sunrisa Lane, Chapala Court, Arelu Court and Anamonte to evacuate. An evacuation center was established at the Laguna Niguel Community Center at 28751 Crown Valley Parkway, Steinle said.

Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc

Original story

The "Coastal Fire" has burned 150 acres so far in Laguna Niguel. NCFPD PIO John Choi said they are sending a strike team from the north zone and two engines from NCFPD. The strong southwest winds are an issue and there have been structural losses. Evacuations are in place. At 5:30 p.m., sheriff's deputies went door to door to tell people to evacuate.

The heavy smoke is being seen around the southland.

This is a breaking story and will be updated throughout the evening.