LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA – A wind-fueled brush fire, dubbed the “Coastal Fire,” exploded in size and intensity, tearing through a luxury hillside community in Laguna Niguel, California, in May 2022. The blaze destroyed at least 20 multi-million dollar homes and forced thousands of residents to evacuate as firefighters mounted a desperate battle against the flames.
The fire ignited in the afternoon in the Aliso Wood Canyon, near a local water treatment plant. Fanned by fierce, dry winds sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean, the flames raced rapidly uphill into the exclusive Coronado Pointe neighborhood, a community known for its sprawling homes with panoramic ocean views.
The scene, as captured in dramatic images and videos, showed a wall of fire consuming homes one by one. Embers carried by the wind created spot fires, allowing the blaze to leapfrog across streets and overwhelm residential properties with terrifying speed. Thick plumes of black and grey smoke were visible for miles, painting a grim picture against the evening sky.
Hundreds of firefighters from the Orange County Fire Authority and surrounding agencies converged on the scene. They faced immense challenges, including the steep, rugged terrain and erratic winds that made containment difficult. Air support, including helicopters making precision water drops as seen in the image, was deployed to assist ground crews who were working to protect the remaining structures.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy said at the time. “The firefighters were trying to get in between these homes… and they were trying to save these homes as they were catching fire.”
The Coastal Fire burned approximately 200 acres before it was fully contained. While the cause was officially investigated, utility company Southern California Edison reported “circuit activity” occurring in the area around the time the fire started. The event served as a stark and devastating reminder of California’s year-round wildfire threat, which has been exacerbated by prolonged drought and changing climate conditions, leaving vegetation critically dry and ready to burn.
