Laguna beach brush fire today: Homes threatened, evacuations ordered near rancho laguna road

A brush fire broke out in Laguna Beach, California, on Monday afternoon, July 7, 2025. The fire started at 2:16 PM in a hilly area near Morningside Drive and Rancho Laguna Road, north of Fernando Street Park, as per the reports.

According to Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King, the fire was spreading fast uphill and was threatening homes nearby. Emergency officials ordered evacuations for the following streets, La Mirada Street, Katella Street, Summit Drive, and Baja Street, as per the OC Register report.

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Evacuation warnings and fire spread

Arch Beach Heights was placed under evacuation warning only, not full evacuation yet. As per Watch Duty, a wildfire monitoring nonprofit, the fire had reached about 1.5 acres by 2:50 PM.

The City of Laguna also confirmed that the brushfire was reported near Rancho Laguna Road and Morningside Drive. A Level 3 warning was active at the time, as per the Hindustan Times report.

Firefighters in action, help centers opened

Ground fire crews were sent for structure defense, and aircraft were brought in to drop water or retardants on the fire. A Care and Reception Center was set up at the Community & Susi Q Center, 380 3rd Street, for people who had to leave their homes. As of now, the cause of the fire is still unknown, as per the OC Register report.

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FAQs

Q1. Where did the Laguna Beach fire start today?
The brush fire started near Morningside Drive and Rancho Laguna Road in Laguna Beach, California, on July 7, 2025.

Q2. Which areas were evacuated in the Laguna Beach fire?
Officials ordered evacuations for La Mirada Street, Katella Street, Summit Drive, and Baja Street, with a warning for Arch Beach Heights.