A lightning-fast wildfire broke out in the southern California town of Laguna Niguel on Wednesday afternoon, affecting roughly 200 acres, damaging multiple homes and forcing evacuations, according to local officials.

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, Southern California Edison says it sent a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission notifying it of “circuit activity” relating to the time of the fire report.

The coast fire broke out between Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach, near a water treatment plant, before quickly spreading through high winds, according to Orange County fire officials.

A raging bushfire in Southern California set millions of dollars in homes alight on Wednesday and ordered evacuations as the flames grew larger.

The fire had scorched 195 hectares by late Wednesday night, orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said.

Orange County Fire Authority

The Orange County Fire Authority is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for unincorporated areas of Orange County, (wikipedia)

Laguna Niguel, California

Laguna Niguel and “Niguili” . As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,355. Laguna Niguel is located in the San Joaquin Hills in the southeastern corner of Orange County, (wikipedia)

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