A wind-driven wildfire burned down up to 20 homes in Southern California on
Wednesday.
The fire, which has now been named the Coastal fire, has grown to 199 acres since it
began on Wednesday. According to CalFire, it is 0% contained, and winds up to 30mph
have helped the flames grow. A state of emergency was declared in Laguna Niguel to
turn to additional resources to fight the fire. However, according to the Weather
Channel, the gust of winds that have been helping the fire keep ablaze are set to die
down by next week.
There have been no reports of any deaths, but one firefighter was reported to be injured
on Thursday morning. In addition, Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy
estimated that up to 20 homes or more could have been destroyed.
Aircrafts were seen spraying fire retardant around Laguna Niguel, where the million
dollar mansions had been burning over night.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation. According to the
Associated Press, Fennessy said climate change has made small fires “extreme threats
to life and property throughout the West.”
This season has been a record dry start in California, making this religion extra
vulnerable to devastating wildfires. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration said that the first four months of 2022 were the driest start to a year in
the state’s history.
Neighboring city, Laguna Beach, has had its evacuation warning lifted for its
neighborhoods, officials said. Residents who chose to evacuate can return to their
homes, according to the sheriff’s department. The city of Laguna Beach has asked its
residents to stay vigilant of any changes overnight, but there is currently no threat to
Laguna Beach from a vegetation fire.
The concept of “fire season” is now well known to many Californians. In report of
Frontline Wildfire Defense, California wildfires are a worsening problem that “[California]
will have to face years to come”
