A firefighter works to put out a structure burning during a wildfire Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Laguna Niguel, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)
OAN NEWSROOM
UPDATED 10:44 AM PT – Thursday, May 12, 2022
A fast-moving brush fire driven by coastal winds in Southern California prompted the evacuations of more than 900 homes. On Thursday, fire officials in Orange County confirmed the ‘Coastal Fire’ scorched multi-million dollar homes in Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas.
The blaze started Wednesday afternoon and has destroyed at least 20 homes. On top of that, one firefighter was injured and is being treated at a local hospital. Meanwhile, hundreds of people were forced to flee their homes with little time to get any of their belongings.
“It’s not looking good, every house is on fire on one side of the street and then it jumped across the street and started burning other houses,” said Lynn Morey, an Orange County resident who evacuated her home. “And our house could be on fire. I don’t know.”
Communities near Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe need to evacuate do due fast moving brush fire. pic.twitter.com/1n7p2o4AAG
— OCSD – Laguna Niguel (@OCSDLagunaNigue) May 11, 2022
On Thursday morning, Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Golden State has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from FEMA. The Office of the Governor noted, this will “help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Coastal Fire in Orange County.”
The Coastal Fire has burned nearly 200 acres with zero containment. According to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, it’s working closely with CAL FIRE personnel in actively responding to the fire, along with other federal, state and local agencies, to swiftly address emergency management.
Governor @GavinNewsom announced that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from @FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Coastal Fire in Orange County. https://t.co/QJiYvByJIE
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) May 12, 2022