WATCH LIVE: Evacuations orders issued after large brush fire breaks out in Laguna Beach

Brush fire ignites near homes in Orange County as winds whip SoCal. Ongoing coverage now on ABC7

Firefighters responded to a brush fire in the Laguna Beach area early Thursday morning that prompted evacuation orders amid hot and windy conditions across Southern California.

The fire broke out around 4 a.m. in the Emerald Bay area east of the Pacific Coast Highway, which was closed in both directions until further notice. The Laguna Beach Police Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents in Irvine Cove and North and South Emerald Bay as the flames inched dangerously close to homes. Evacuation warnings were issued for all of North Laguna, affecting residents north of Broadway.

An estimated acreage was not available, but a bright orange glow could be seen from miles out, indicating the flames had already burned a large area.The blaze prompted the Laguna Beach Unified School District to cancel classes at El Morro Elementary for Thursday. Please note at this time, we are closely monitoring the fire situation and will let families know if additional school closures are needed. Thurston, TOW, and LBHS remain open. Once we have further information, we will update our community. Please stay safe.

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