An approximately 2-acre fire was progressing towards structures in Laguna Niguel on Wednesday, and an evacuation was ordered, according to Watch Duty, a nonprofit that tracks wildfires.
The Beacon fire was reported near Alcott Place and Ridgeway Avenue around 3:30 p.m. The area has numerous tracts of homes to the south and more homes across the hill to the north, as well as Chapparosa Park.
An evacuation order was issued for Copps Hill Street at approximately 4:30 p.m.. Middleton Place and Alcott Place were ordered to shelter in place.
A temporary shelter opened at Crown Valley Community Center at 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy., the city of Laguna Niguel said.
An additional 10 engines and air support were requested as the Orange County Fire Authority attacked the blaze.
The city urged the public to avoid the area.
As of Wednesday afternoon, heat in Laguna Niguel reached 87 degrees and the city was experiencing winds around 4 miles per hour, with gusts up to 9 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
It wasn’t immediately known what caused the fire.