Aliso Fire: 2 Injured As Battle Against Blaze Continues

ALISO VIEJO, CA -- Two people were injured in a wind-driven wildfire that erupted in Aliso Viejo near the Laguna Beach border, officials said Sunday. The blaze, which began Saturday afternoon, was 150 acres and 10 percent contained as of Sunday morning.

By Sunday afternoon, officials said the forward spread of the fire had been stopped.

At its peak on Saturday afternoon, the Aliso Fire grew to 275 acres, prompting a response from six air tankers and four helicopters that made drops of water and fire retardant along the perimeter of the fire, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Tony Bommarito said.

About 440 crew members and firefighters continued to battle the blaze Sunday, with one firefighter suffering a minor leg injury, Bommarito said. Officials did not provide details on the second person who was injured.

Officials said crews made "good progress" Saturday night and were hopeful containment would grow Sunday.

The fast-growing fire forced the evacuations of thousands of homes Saturday afternoon in the cities of Laguna Beach and Aliso Viejo, and an animal shelter. By 6:30 p.m. Sunday, all evacuation orders were lifted.

Also See: Thousands Evacuated As Aliso Fire Grows

Both ends of Wood Canyon Road were closed and residents who left their homes were not allowed to return due to smoke and ash and a need to keep roads clear for first responders, authorities said.

Classes were canceled Monday for the Top of the World Elementary School, officials said.

Costa Mesa High School's prom scheduled for Saturday night at Soka University was postponed a week, according to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

Anyone who needs assistance is urged to call the Laguna Beach Police Department at 949-407-0701. Any residents looking for information can call the city of Aliso Viejo at 714-628-7085.

--City News Service contributed to this report/Photo courtesy of Orange County Fire Authority