LIVE UPDATES: Coastal Fire destroys at least 20 homes in Laguna Niguel

On Thursday afternoon, officials with the Orange County Fire Authority held a press conference to update the public with the latest information. 

As of Thursday, the fire remained at 200 acres burned, with 15% containment. A total of 20 homes were completely destroyed by the blaze and 11 were damaged. Officials said that 550 firefighters were deployed to the scene, with two firefighters suffering injury. Both of have since been released from the hospital. 

Firefighters also said that 900 people were evacuated and that evacuation orders issued last night remain in effect. 

In the Coronado Pointe neighborhood, multiple homes burned in the 30300 block of La Vue, near the Aliso Summit Trail. Powerful coastal winds pushed embers through the area, with the blaze jumping from home to home. While one home may have been spared, another next to it may have been destroyed, depending on how the embers flew. 

"It's so random, because just behind us, our friends' home is safe, but on either side it's destroyed," Coronado Pinte homeowner Andreas Frank told CBSLA Thursday. 

Mandatory evacuations remain in place in the areas of Coronado Pointe and Pacific Island Drive, officials said at a news conference Thursday morning. 

"We will repopulate when it is safe to do so, and allows fire personnel to prevent the fire from spreading any further," Orange County Sheriff's Department Capt. Virgil Asuncion said. 

New mandatory evacuations were also ordered Thursday for neighborhoods accessed from Niguel Road, west of Highland Avenue. 

About 900 homes remain under mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders. 

A firefighter suffered an injury while battling the Coastal Fire Wednesday.

According to TJ McGovern, Orange County Fire Authority's assistant chief of field operations, the firefighter was on the line when he was injured. McGovern did not give details on how the firefighter was injured, but confirmed the firefighter was assessed and taken to a hospital pending further evaluation.

The firefighter who was injured was not identified.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved the use of federal funds to assist in the fight against the Coastal Fire which has destroyed at least 20 homes in Laguna Niguel.

A Fire Management Assistance Grant will provide funding for up to 75% of firefighting costs. 

The Orange County Fire Authority reports that the Coastal Fire is now 199 acres with zero containment. 

A news conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. 

The Coastal Fire has destroyed at least 20 homes, with most of the destruction believed to be in the Laguna Niguel neighborhood of Coronado Pointe. 

On La Vue street in Coronado Pointe, some homes were destroyed, but others were spared, depending on how the embers flew. 

"Several of the houses on these streets were involved in fire," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Jeff Christiansen said. "Last night we were just watching for hot spots, making sure it didn't go to any other houses. We showed up after it already burned down. So we've just been making sure it didn't start up again and extend to the houses on either side."

A smoke advisory has been issued as a result of the Coastal Fire burning in Orange County's Laguna Niguel community. 

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued the advisory through Thursday afternoon. Those who smell smoke or see ash should limit their time outdoors and keep their doors and windows closed. 

The Laguna Beach Unified School District reported Wednesday night that schools and offices will be open and operating as normal Thursday. 

However, students at Moulton Elementary School in Laguna Niguel will instead be attending school at Wood Canyon Elementary on Thursday out of an abundance of caution. Moulton Elementary is in the Capistrano Unified School District.

In a publically released report, local power company Edison noted that their information "reflects circuit activity occurring close in time to the reported time of the fire."

Edison Spokesperson David Eisenhauer released a statement saying: 

Our thoughts are with the community members whose homes have been damaged and those who have been evacuated because of the Coastal Fire and we are coordinating with fire agencies as needed to ensure firefighter safety. Our top priority is the safety of customers, employees and communities which is why we continue to enhance our wildfire mitigation efforts through grid hardening, situational awareness and enhanced operational practices. 

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was estimated to be at 195 acres and zero percent containment. There have been no reports of injuries to humans or pets. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

Firefighters are trying to make sure that the fire from one house doesn't jump and destroy the house next to it. 

On Vista Montemar in Laguna Niguel, fire crews have been battling an aggressive house fire for over an hour, and have made little headway. Reporting from the scene, Lesley Marin said crews might have to back off the fire. 

A 10,000 square foot mansion that was destroyed in the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel had been listed at around $10 million. 

The Coastal Fire burning in Laguna Niguel is affecting air quality in the Orange County area. Smoke advisories have been issued through Thursday afternoon for the South Coast AQMD jurisdiction.

On La Vue Street, behind Coronado Pointe in Laguna Niguel, where an estimated 20 plus homes have burned, fire crews are working to keep burning embers from sparking fires in additional homes. 

A Captain with the Orange County Fire Authority told CBSLA that the challenge is all the void spaces on homes in the area, saying that the tile roofs throughout the neighborhood easily catch embers, which can then develop into a full fledged fire. 

SKY9's Desmond Shaw reports from over the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel where more than 180 acres have burned and an estimated 20 plus homes have also caught fire. Chief Brian Fennessy, in an earlier press conference, said that officials ran a very organized evacuation process that there has so far been no reported injuries. 

So far there are 25 adults two children and five pets at the evacuation center. Red Cross and Animal Services are on-site to assist evacuees.

Orange County Fire Authority says the Coastal Fire has burned about 200 acres and approximately 20 homes.

"Unfortunately I think this is what we're going to be experiencing over the next several weeks and years," said Chief Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority during a press conference Wednesday night. "The vegetation is so dry it is not taking much for the fire to take off running and burn very quickly." 

SKY9's Desmond Shaw reports that homes, even ones that earlier appeared safe, are catching on fire as high winds pick up burning embers. 

Officials plan to hold a live press conference and provide an update on the Coastal Fire burning in Laguna Niguel. Viewers can tune in on KCAL9 or at CBSLA.com. 

The Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed their LAFD Strike Team 1001, consisting of five engines and a battalion chief, to help battle the Coastal Fire in Orange County. 

Fire crews continue to battle what authorities have dubbed the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel. More than a dozen homes have burned, including multimillion-dollar mansions and the fire has grown to an estimated 183 acres. 

Firefighters were able to rescue a Laguna Niguel resident's cat, Nivens, from her home. The resident said the cat may have been hiding under her bed. 

The owner of the cat, named Nivens, was thankful her pet was ok as the Coastal Fire continued to tear through homes on Coronado Pointe. 

Michele Gile reports from Laguna Niguel where firefighters said that the sounds of explosions coming from home engulfed in flames are likely ammunition that was kept in the home. 

Reporting from the scene in Laguna Niguel, CBSLA's Michele Gile spoke to firefighters on the scene who say flames are moving eastward and will likely catch homes on the opposite side of the street on fire as well.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park is closed due to the nearby Coastal Fire.

Firefighters said more than 13 structures have been destroyed in the fire. 

As of 5:42 p.m., the fire is at 150 acres and zero percent contained. 

As fire starts to gut a mansion in Laguna Niguel, a row of houses can be seen burning. SKY2's Desmond Shaw reports that it's this row of houses on fire that are overwhelming fire crews. 

A temporary shelter is open at Crown Valley Community Center at 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy. For questions, please call 949-362-4300. For questions, please call City Hall at (949) 362-4300 or the County Hotline Number at (714) 628-7085.

From SKY2, a large firefighting airtanker is seen over the Coastal Fire where several homes are on fire. 

One home in Laguna Niguel was seen from SKY2 completely engulfed in flames while at least five other homes caught fire.  

At least four homes were seen burning as crews worked to extinguish the Coastal Fire burning in Laguna Niguel.

At least one home can be seen burning in what officials are calling the Coastal Fire. 

Officials said that residents near Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe need to evacuate due to the fast moving brush fire. 

The direction of the wind is carrying smoke toward and into the city. 

The Laguna Beach Police Department has issued voluntary evacuation orders for the Balboa Nyes neighborhood due to the fire. 

Flames can be seen from Sky9 threatening homes.