Fire near Laguna Beach: Evacuations, closures

A brush fire broke out early Thursday near Laguna Beach in the Emerald Bay area. The fire has burned 145 acres and is about 20% contained.

Here is what we know:

Evacuations

• Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay were under mandatory evacuations for most of the day.
• North Laguna (all residents north of Broadway) were under an evacuation warning.
• The evacuations were lifted around 3 p.m., and residents are able to return home.
  

Closures

• Portions of Coast Highway were closed for several hours early Thursday. The road reopened Thursday afternoon.
• All Laguna Beach schools were closed. Schools are expected to reopen on Friday.
• Orange County parks and California state parks remain closed in the fire-affected areas.

Evacuation centers

• The Los Olivos Community Center, at 101 Alfonso, Irvine.
• An evacuation center is also open at the Laguna Beach Community and the Susi Q Center in Laguna Beach.
  

Source: City of Laguna Beach and Orange County Fire Authority