A fast-moving brush fire burned approximately 250 acres in the unincorporated Rancho Mission Viejo area Wednesday, prompting closure of a stretch of Ortega Highway and the issuance of shelter-in-place orders, before its progress was stopped
The Gibby Fire broke out just after 2 p.m. Wednesday near the 34700 block of Ortega Highway, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg Barta said.
By 3 p.m. it had grown to about 150 acres. A short time later it was estimated at 450 acres, but the size was later downgraded following an aerial observation flyover, according to crews on the scene. By early evening, it was estimated to be 250 acres.
California Highway Patrol officers closed Ortega Highway eastbound at Gateway in Rancho Mission Viejo and westbound at Grand in Lake Elsinore, CHP Officer Brian Kinsey said.
Drivers were urged to avoid the area and take alternative routes such as routes 91, 76, 78 or Interstate 5.
Eastbound state Route 74 was shut down at Avenida La Pata at the Riverside County line with Rancho Carrillo Road also closed, officials said.
By late afternoon, crews at the scene indicated some commercial structures were threatened by the flames, and shelter-in-place orders were issued for select areas, including Caspers Wilderness Park and Rancho Carrillo.
The Orange County Fire Authority announced at 7:34 p.m. that the fire’s progress had been stopped and the shelter-in-place orders lifted.