This story was revised Monday, June 27.
Laguna Canyon Road was reopened after more than a six-hour closure at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 26, due to a 50-acre brush fire in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
OC Park rangers evacuated hikers and cyclists in the park, which remains closed to visitors Monday, June 27, fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said. “Fire officials are working with OC Parks on a restoration plan and timeline for reopening the park,” he said.
About 100 firefighters from seven agencies responded to the blaze, which began about 1:30 p.m. near Big Bend and was described at 60 percent contained by 8 p.m., says a statement issued by police. LaTendresse said the cause is under investigation, but that the blaze burned entirely on park lands.
No homes were threatened and neither were evacuations to property required, says the statement. Fire crews remain in the burn area today to extinguish any “hot spots,” LaTendresse said.
Weather service predictions for a heat wave starting on Sunday proved inaccurate with firefighters’ efforts helped by midday cloud cover, lowering temperatures and increasing humidity. The seven day forecast calls for highs in the mid 70s and light winds.
