Laguna Beach says forward progress of wildfire stopped; neighborhoods likely to reopen tonight

Mayor Alex Vernaghi said at a briefing at the city’s Emergency Operations Center that firefighters stopped the forward progress of a wildfire at about 5 a.m. and that evacuated neighborhoods are likely to be allowed to return later this evening once conditions permit.

The fire is not yet fully contained, Vernaghi said, and containment work — including wetting down hotspots and securing the fire perimeter — is expected to take additional time. “We fire crews have successfully stopped the forward progress of the fire. This was confirmed actually at, 05:00,” Vernaghi said.

Chief King, the city’s fire chief, said containment means firefighters are positioned around the perimeter, wetting down embers and hot spots to prevent rekindling or spread that can be triggered by wind changes. “So for our confidence, make sure the fire doesn't rekindle and start another leg up the side of the hill. That's where we're trying to obtain containment,” King said, and added crews “will be out for the next 24 to possibly 48 hours.”

Officials said one fixed-wing aircraft will remain assigned to the incident to support ongoing operations. Vernaghi thanked mutual-aid partners for their response, naming the Newport Beach Fire Department, CAL FIRE and the Huntington Beach Fire Department, and said other public-safety agencies covered city duties while Laguna Beach crews fought the fire.

Chief Calvert provided a traffic and access update, saying Coast Highway and Goodic Canyon Road are open but that Bluebird Canyon, Alta Vista and Nye’s Place will remain inaccessible until fire apparatus clear the roadways. “Currently, Coast Highway and Goodic Canyon Road, both roadways are open. However, you won't be able to access Bluebird Canyon, Alta Vista, and Nye's Place, until the fire apparatus, is cleared from the roadway,” Calvert said.

Vernaghi said impacted neighborhoods remain closed because of the high volume of emergency vehicles and ongoing safety concerns and urged residents to await official notices before returning. For updates, officials directed residents to the city website, the county alert system and the city’s social media channels; Vernaghi specifically referenced Nixle for notifications.

City officials said an after-action review will follow the incident to identify improvements in emergency operations, firefighting and communications. Vernaghi said the collaboration observed in the Emergency Operations Center underscores ongoing investments in fire safety.

No formal policy votes or council actions were announced during the briefing.