Brush fire near Ortega Highway forces highway shutdown and shelter orders
A brush fire ignited Wednesday afternoon in Orange County, prompting shelter-in-place directives and the closure of Ortega Highway.
Fire officials reported a brush fire erupting shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday near Ortega Highway in Rancho Mission Viejo, naming it the Gibby Fire. CAL FIRE noted that by 4:45 p.m. the fire covered 216 acres and was advancing at a moderate pace, endangering the Rancho Carrillo community and adjacent commercial properties, with the potential to expand to 1,000 acres. Authorities issued shelter-in-place orders for Zone ORT01 in Orange County and for Zone RVC-2074 in Riverside County, reflecting the fire’s proximity to the county line.
The California Highway Patrol closed Ortega Highway in both directions between Rancho Mission Viejo and Lake Elsinore and advised motorists to avoid the area. Caspers Wilderness Park was likewise shut down, and no formal evacuations had been ordered as of 4 p.m., though conditions remained fluid.
Why it matters
The fire threatens homes and traffic, prompting safety orders and road closures for residents and commuters.
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