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California

Fire destroys mansions in Southern California, evacuations ordered

A state of emergency was declared for the city of Laguna Niguel

Julia Musto By Julia Musto Fox News
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A fast-moving wildfire that sparked Wednesday afternoon in Southern California has burned at least 20 homes and injured one firefighter, according to officials. 

The flames tore through the community of multimillion-dollar mansions as gusty winds whipped, but they died down overnight. 

The Orange County Fire Authority said early Thursday that the Coastal Fire had spread to approximately 200 acres. 

EFFORT AGAINST SOUTHWEST FIRES CONTINUES AS WIND, DUST IMPACT REGION

"We are currently working on putting together property damage assessment teams to start inspecting fire damages," the agency tweeted.

Evacuations were ordered by authorities. 

Orange County Fire Authority Assistant Chief TJ McGovern told reporters that the injured firefighter – who was on the line – was transported to a local hospital. 

  • Fire in Laguna Niguel
    Image 1 of 11

    Firefighters work to extinguish a fast moving wind driven wildfire in a residential area in Laguna Niguel, California, U.S., May 12, 2022.  (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

  • Fire spreading across Southern California
    Image 2 of 11

    Smoke from a fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire rises above a residential area in Laguna Niguel, California, U.S., May 12, 2022.  (REUTERS/Mike Blake TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

  • Fires spreading in Laguna Niguel
    Image 3 of 11

    Firefighters work to extinguish a fast moving wind driven wildfire in Laguna Niguel, California, U.S., May 12, 2022. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

  • Smoke from Southern California fires
    Image 4 of 11

    Smoke from a fast moving wind driven wildfire rises above a residential area in Laguna Niguel, California, U.S., May 12, 2022.  (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

  • Firefighters battle a California fire
    Image 5 of 11

    Firefighters work to put out a structure burning during a wildfire Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Laguna Niguel, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez) (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)

  • Smoke from Laguna Niguel fires
    Image 6 of 11

    Smoke from a wildfire rises above a residential area in Laguna Niguel, Orange County, California, U.S. May 11, 2022 in this picture obtained from social media. (Tim Wheaton/via REUTERS)

  • Fireman battling Southern California fires
    Image 7 of 11

    A firefighter works to put out a structure burning during a wildfire Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Laguna Niguel, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez) (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)

  • A fire truck next to a California wildfire
    Image 8 of 11

    Communities near Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe need to evacuate do due fast moving brush fire. (Credit: OCSD - Laguna Niguel Police Services)

  • Firefighters work to put out a California fire
    Image 9 of 11

    The Orange County Fire Authority works to put out the Coastal Fire (Credit: Orange County Fire Authority)

  • Helicopter flies over a California wildfire
    Image 10 of 11

    A helicopter flies over a wildfire in Laguna Niguel, California, U.S., in this screen grab obtained from a social media video on May 12, 2022.  (Courtesy of Samriti Goyal - Instagram @samriti.goyal/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.)

  • Firefighters work to put out Southern California fire
    Image 11 of 11

    Firefighters work to put out a structure burning during a wildfire Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Laguna Niguel, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez) (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)

"Communities near Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe need to evacuate [due to] fast-moving brush fire," the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Laguna Niguel Police Services wrote on social media, alongside a picture of burning hills. 

A state of emergency was declared for the city of Laguna Niguel.

Fast-moving brush fire in Southern California engulfs multimillion-dollar homes in flames Video

Fox 11 reported that multiple roofs, garages and patios have collapsed.

NEW MEXICO WILDFIRE SCORCHES ABOUT 275 SQUARE MILES, FUELED BY STRONG WINDS AND HIGH TEMPERATURES

Sixty types of resources were working to fight the fire, including helicopters that made water drops. 

The vegetation fire broke out near Aliso Wood Canyon between Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach.

Fire season off to dangerous start after almost one million acres already burned Video

According to Fox Weather, winds were reported to be at least 20 mph, which helped drive a column of smoke southward toward San Clemente.

Fire officials have not said what they believe started the fire.

The National Interagency Fire Center says more than a million acres have burned nationwide this year.

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Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the West. 

Fox News' Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.