Laguna Beach police arrest teen suspected of starting Rancho fire

Less than 24 hours after a vegetation fire broke out in Laguna Beach, authorities on Tuesday morning announced that a teen arrest has been made following an investigation into the start of the flames.

Authorities had suspected that the Rancho fire, which started just after 2 p.m. on Monday, had been caused by illegal fireworks.

Laguna Beach police detectives took a 13-year-old boy into custody on suspicion of committing felony reckless burning of forest land. Video evidence was obtained showing an individual igniting a firework and fleeing the scene, police said.

Orange County Juvenile Hall did not accept the suspect for booking, police said, citing an absence of injuries or immediate threat to structures. The Laguna Beach police department processed the suspect and released him to his parents.

Authorities planned to submit the case to the Orange County District Attorney’s office for review and filing of criminal charges, according to a media release.

Police rangers also detained and questioned two additional minors. Both were determined to be witnesses to the incident, not suspects.

The brush fire burned on a hillside over Laguna Beach Monday afternoon, spreading up to 4.6 acres in several hours and forcing the evacuation of residents along the ridge, authorities said.

At least one firefighter is under medical evaluation. Their injuries are not expected to be serious, Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi said.

“The fire is not contained but it has stopped below the ridge line,” Rounaghi said on Monday. “At this point we’re not anticipating further evacuation, according to the fire chief.”

A fire spotted Monday afternoon in a canyon behind Laguna Beach’s Arch Beach Heights neighborhood spanned 4 acres by 5:30 p.m.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

In an update provided on Tuesday morning, fire officials said the Rancho fire was at 50% containment.

The blaze broke out near the area of Rancho Laguna Road and Morningside Drive, according to Chief Niko King of the Laguna Beach fire department. No other injuries have been reported.

Evacuation orders were issued along La Mirada Street, Katella Street, Summit Drive and Baja Street. Arch Beach Heights also received an evacuation warning.

City communications indicated the evacuation orders were lifted at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Monday evening.

Inbound traffic on Laguna Canyon Road was temporarily closed in response to the fire.

Authorities diverted southbound traffic from the downtown area, near Broadway, onto Laguna Canyon Road. Traffic was stopped from entering the city via Dana Point in an effort to make the roadways available to emergency vehicles. Inbound traffic on Laguna Canyon had also been halted at El Toro Road, city officials announced via Nixle.

A Cal Fire helicopter drops fire retardant in a remote area of the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood of Laguna Beach on Monday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

No damage to structures has been reported so far. Helicopters continued to drop flame retardant over the canyon and brush area, while Watch Duty staff reported three air tankers had been deployed to assist in the attack.

“It’s burning up a hillside and we have several structures threatened right now,” King told the Daily Pilot on Monday.

The Orange County Fire Authority, the Newport Beach fire department and other agencies are arriving on scene, he added.

Residents were urged to follow evacuation orders.

“We need people to pay attention to the evacuation orders,” King said. “The wind conditions are favorable right now, so as long as we keep it onshore, it’s to our advantage.”

An evacuation center was made available at the Community and Susi Q Center, located at 380 3rd Street.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation, but fireworks are suspected,” City Manager Dave Kiff said in a statement on Monday.

Recreation classes were canceled. The Coastal Trolley stopped accepting new passengers and dropped passengers at the nearest location.

“The health and safety of Orange County residents remains our top priority,” Orange County Supervisor Vice Chair Katrina Foley said in a statement.

“The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff’s Department are actively assisting the City of Laguna Beach with immediate fire response and evacuations,” she said. “This includes new state of the art OCFA Firehawk Helicopters purchased last year. This time of year, with windy conditions and unpredictable weather, small incidents can escalate. We urge residents and visitors to pack a go bag, refrain from lighting fireworks, and exercise an abundance of caution near the affected areas.”

Staff writer Sara Cardine contributed to this report. This story will be updated.

Firefighters are battling a 4-acre brush fire in Laguna Beach that broke out Monday, prompting the evacuation of residents.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)