Firefighters worked Monday to extinguish a fire that consumed about 150 acres of brushy hillsides in a canyon between Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach over the weekend, authorities said.
The Aliso fire was 55 percent contained as of about 8:30 a.m. Monday, the Orange County Fire Authority reported.
About 400 firefighters continued to work Monday to clear vegetation and put out hot spots. Investigators seeking the cause of the fire urged people to call (800) 222-TIPS (8477) if they can provide information.
The fire was reported at 1:07 p.m. Saturday in Wood Canyon behind Soka University of America, OCFA Capt. Tony Bommarito said. The fire threatened structures at Soka University of America and the Top of the World neighborhood of Laguna Beach.
Six air tankers and four helicopters made drops of water and fire retardant along the perimeter of the fire late Saturday afternoon, Bommarito said. Two helicopters remained battling the flames after sunset Saturday, as air support was crucial to keeping the fire at bay.
Three injuries were reported, including a firefighter who suffered a minor leg injury Saturday, the OCFA said. No structures were damaged.
Mandatory evacuations began at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Aliso Viejo affecting about 2,000 homes in the area of Wood Canyon and Pacific Park drives, city officials said. Those evacuations were lifted at 9 p.m. Saturday after the fire no longer threatened the homes.
About 1,500 residents were evacuated from Top of the World and the Old Top of the World neighborhoods above Laguna Beach Saturday, police said. By Sunday, the evacuations had been lifted.
Monday’s classes at Top of the World Elementary school were canceled, authorities said.
Costa Mesa High School’s prom scheduled for Saturday night at Soka University was postponed a week, according to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.