Coastal Fire continues to burn after destroying 20 mansions in Southern California

ORANGE COUNTY, CA (3TV/CBS 5) - A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the “Coastal Fire” fueled by winds from the Pacific Ocean burned through several neighborhoods in Laguna Hills, California, just south of Los Angeles Wednesday evening. The wildfire, which continues to burn into Thursday, has grown to about 200 acres. Firefighters say at least 20 high-priced homes have been lost.

The electric company for the city, Southern California Edison, advised state utility regulators that unspecified electrical “circuit activity” occurred about the time a destructive wildfire erupted in the coastal community. The Coastal Fire was reported around 2:43 p.m. Wednesday in the Orange County city. In a report to the California Public Utilities Commission, SoCal Edison says that the investigation continues. Still, there was circuit activity close to the fire’s approximate start time.

Last year, the Public Utilities Commission approved a settlement placing more than half a billion dollars in fines and penalties on Southern California Edison for its role in five wildfires in 2017 and 2018.

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