A brush fire pushed by strong winds forced evacuations early Thursday in coastal Orange County communities, but firefighters have protected homes as flames appear to be moving into open space.
The fire, estimated at about 145 acres, was reported around 4 a.m. on a hillside above Emerald Bay. Containment was estimated at 5 percent. Acreage was estimated at 10 acres earlier Thursday, but those figures often change with improved mapping.
Flames and smoke could be seen at dawn from Long Beach and other parts of Southern California with an eerie orange glow over the coast.
An evacuation order was issued for Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay. An evacuation warning was in effect for North Laguna. An evacuation center was opened at Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center, and at the Los Olivos Community Center in Irvine.
No homes were damaged, thanks to firefighters on the ground and a barrage of overnight runs from water-dropping aircraft. Orange County fire officials said they are optimistic that the fire will burn away from the area, allowing firefighters to hold flames along a ridge line away from neighborhoods.
Fire retardant will be dropped along the ridge line to halt the fire's spread.
