A brush fire that erupted in a hilly Laguna Beach neighborhood on Monday afternoon was started by fireworks, officials confirmed.

The blaze triggered evacuations from hundreds of posh homes, choking traffic and prompting an aggressive aerial response,

The blaze, dubbed the Rancho Fire, ignited around 2:15pm in the Bluebird Canyon area near Morningside Drive and Rancho Laguna Road. 

Flames threatened homes in the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood, resulting in the evacuation of nearly 100 residences until firefighters successfully stopped the fire’s advancement at 5 pm after about four acres had burned.

Captain Sean Doran of the Orange County Fire Authority commended the aerial firefighting efforts for their significant impact in containing the flames. He noted the challenging nature of the aerial operation and acknowledged that favorable wind conditions played a crucial role in supporting the firefighting teams.

Fortunately, Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King confirmed that no homes were harmed during the incident. King praised the quick and coordinated response from both air and ground units, along with the collaborative assistance received from nearby fire departments.

‘It was great we had air resources come in a few minutes,’ King said. ‘But this is still a very dynamic situation… We’re asking people to not go to the fire and stay clear.’ 

By evening, officials were zeroing in on a likely cause – illegal fireworks.

A fast-moving hillside fire erupted Monday afternoon in a residential area of Laguna Beach, California prompting evacuation orders and snarling traffic on major coastal routes 

The flames appeared to be advancing quickly and posed a direct threat to hundreds of homes

Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert confirmed that evidence found near the origin point pointed to fireworks as the source. 

Crime scene tape was placed in the area, and remnants resembling fireworks mortars were spotted on the ground.

While no arrests or citations had been issued as of Monday night, fireworks are illegal in all forms in Laguna Beach.

Roger Robleto, who was house-sitting at a home near the ignition point, told authorities and reporters he heard a loud explosion just before the fire started.

‘I heard a boom around 1:55. It sounded like an M80,’ Robleto said to the Orange County Register. ‘I went out to the middle of the street and that’s when I saw the big smoke and the fire. It was raging at that point … It sounded like a dragon.’

Robleto also reported seeing a group of kids on e-bikes riding away from the scene shortly after the sound.   

The sight of smoke towering above the hillside was a shocking one for locals. 

‘I didn’t see anything but I saw people running,’ said longtime Rosalie to the Orange County Register.‘

Aircraft made water drops while firefighters on the ground defended properties in the fire’s path.

Water could be seen being doused upon homes that looked to be directly at risk from the blaze

A television news helicopter was able to capture an overview of of the blaze with homes directly in its path

My dog started barking and then I got the order. We were lucky we left right away. There were a few cars and it only got backed up toward the bottom.’

‘It’s a haunting experience,’ added husband Alan. ‘In January after the LA fires we packed up everything, but now it was too close for comfort knowing it was just two blocks away. You have to be focused on what’s most critical. That means your family, your animal’s life.

‘I ran without even taking my computer,’ he added. ‘The only thing I grabbed is my Tallis bag. And in it is a special note from my mother before she died.’

Monday’s fire comes six months after the wildfires that devastated the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles.

Hillsides perilously close to homes could be seen shrouded in smoke from the fire

The Palisades Fire burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of LA in January 

The fires broke out on January 7, when dry desert winds whipped over mountain passes with hurricane force, following eight months without rain. 

The Eaton Fire, in Los Angeles County just east of the city, devastated the community of Altadena, while the Palisades Fire leveled much of the coastal Pacific Palisades district.

The fires killed 22 people, destroyed nearly 12,000 homes and caused as much as $53.8 billion in property damage, according to a report by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

While many homeowners complain about delays, LA city and county officials say rebuilding progress has exceeded initial expectations. 

About 75% of the 4,398 residential lots destroyed or severely damaged in the city of Los Angeles have been cleared of debris and are certified for rebuilding, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Karen Bass.