A brush fire that ignited near Ortega Highway and Gibby Road in unincorporated Rancho Mission Viejo Wednesday afternoon spread rapidly near the highway corridor, forcing closures of State Route 74 in both Orange and Riverside counties within hours. The Gibby Fire started around 2 p.m. near San Juan Capistrano, and ground crews and firefighting aircraft were ordered into the area as flames spread along the highway corridor.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the fire initially grew from about 3 acres to 150 acres, per figures the outlet attributed to the Orange County Fire Authority. Ortega Highway was closed eastbound at Gateway in Rancho Mission Viejo and westbound at Grand in Lake Elsinore, cutting off a stretch of the vital mountain route that links Orange and Riverside counties. Shelter-in-place orders were issued for Casper's Park, Rancho Carrillo, and Riverside County zone RVC-2074 during the fire and were lifted by 8 p.m.
The blaze broke out in the 34700 block of SR-74, and agencies responded under a unified command that included the Orange County Fire Authority, Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and Orange County Parks, according to CBS News. ABC7 reported that firefighters initially estimated the fire at about three acres around 2 p.m.; later reports put its ultimately reported size at 250 acres.
A Corridor Built Around Wildfire Risk
A Corridor Built Around Wildfire Risk Major wildland fires in the Santa Ana Mountains have included a November 1993 blaze that burned more than 20,500 acres and destroyed 25 homes, according to the Los Angeles Times. The August 2018 Holy Fire burned 23,136 acres and destroyed 18 structures across Orange and Riverside counties, forcing closures of the same highway.
More recently, the September 2024 Airport Fire burned 23,519 acres, destroyed 160 structures, and prompted a closure at Ortega Highway. Hoodline previously reported on a driver rescued after going over the side of Ortega Highway.
Rapid-Refill Water Source Sits Along the Route
Rapid-Refill Water Source Sits Along the Route Firefighting aircraft were among the resources working the Gibby Fire. The reports cited above do not provide details about specialized water infrastructure or its role in earlier incidents.
The Gibby Fire's ultimately reported size of 250 acres underscores how quickly a brush fire can spread.
Highway Already Under Pressure From Growth and Construction
The closures add another disruption to Ortega Highway.
The closures add to the challenges facing the mountain route. Fire crews are working to keep flames from further disrupting the corridor.
