(FiveNation.com)- Last Thursday, a fire broke out in the hills above the Emerald Bay and Irvine Cove communities in Laguna Beach, California that quickly spread to 145 acres, coming close to homes. By Saturday, firefighters had the fire 90 percent contained and were hoping to have it fully contained by mid-week.
According to Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi, the cause of the fire is yet unknown. No structures were damaged and no injuries to firefighters or civilians have been reported.
Crews were using drone technology to find hot spots then directing firefighters to those areas. Meanwhile, an OCFA helicopter was used to make water drops early on in the fire allowing firefighters on the ground to quickly handle the fire.
Because residents evacuated, firefighters were able to get into surrounding neighborhoods to prevent the fire from spreading to homes.
By Saturday night, fewer than 100 firefighters were still assigned to the fire and some would remain in the area for the next few days to continue working suppression repair to prevent possible erosion and runoff during the next rain cycle that is forecast for Tuesday, Concialdi said.
These crews are installing barriers on burned slopes to prevent mud and other debris from sliding into residential neighborhoods during Tuesday’s rain.
Laguna Beach Emergency Operations Coordinator Brendan Manning credited the systems that have been put in place in the community to improve emergency planning and response for the lack of damaged structures and injuries.
Among the fire mitigation measures implemented were additional fuel modification zones, outdoor warning speakers, and an interactive evacuation map.
